The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is an American eclectic big band founded in 1973 by trumpeter and composer Mark Harvey, who is also associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The ensemble combines traditional big-band repertoire with contemporary jazz and original compositions by Harvey. The orchestra's repertoire includes works associated with the Duke Ellington Orchestra alongside Harvey's original compositions. Over the years, a core group of musicians has been joined by numerous guest artists, including Jaki Byard, Jimmy Giuffre, Sheila Jordan, Taylor Ho Bynum, Bill Lowe, Vinny Golia, Frank London, Ken Filiano, and Jane Wang. Its recordings explore a wide range of jazz traditions and original works, including Aardvark Steps Out (1993), Paintings for Jazz Orchestra (1995), An Aardvark Christmas (1997), The Seeker (2000), Duke Ellington/Sacred Music (2003), American Agonistes (2008), Evocations (2012), Impressions (2014), and Faces of Souls (2020). They have received several honors, including the 2000 Independent Music Award for Best Jazz Song for “Scamology.”
