The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO) was founded in 1990 with an appropriation from the U.S. Congress in recognition of the importance of jazz in American cultural and its status as a national treasure. The orchestra, led by Artistic and Musical Director, David N. Baker (Chairman of the Jazz Department and Distinguished Professor of Music at Indiana University), serves as the orchestra-in-residence at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The orchestra re-creates big band jazz as its composers and arrangers intended it to be played, stripping away intervening changes and alterations. The SJMO has rediscovered old classics, premiered new discoveries, and more recently has begun premiering new works. Composed of highly skilled musicians and educators, the orchestra plays authentic and compelling performances of the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and many other masters.

"Deftly led by David Baker, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra offered fascinating rarities by Benny Carter, Bill Holman and George Russell, each played with as much skill as authenticity."_Chicago Tribune