The Neophonic Jazz Orchestra was founded in 2010 as the Madison Mellophonium Jazz Orchestra by longtime Madison drummer Rand Moore and Stan Kenton alumnus Joel Kaye. The NJO has a unique instrumental makeup derived from the great Stan Kenton Orchestra of the 1960s. In addition to the saxophone, trombone, trumpet and rhythm sections typical of big band jazz, the NJO also boasts a section of mellophones, as the Stan Kenton Orchestra did, giving the group a richness and fullness that is unparalleled among big bands today.