The foundation of the Directors’ Jazz Orchestra, formerly the Madison County Directors’ Band, began as a group to perform at the Anderson City Jazz Festival in the early 1990’s. The group included a small number of directors. College students were often used to fill out the band. Eventually, the band was performing at a few community events and the festival. After the festival was discontinued, the band ceased to perform. In 1999, a small group began playing for the North Side Middle School Jazz Concert in Anderson. The next year, a full group was used. In 2001, the band began playing in its current form. With the continued success and uniqueness of a jazz band consisting of music teachers, the group has continued to keep a full performance schedule. The group was selected to perform at the 2005 and 2009 Indiana Music Educators’ Association Conference. They were invited for a return performance in 2011. They have also performed for numerous community, school, and church events including gospel church services, school concerts, the Festival of Trees at the Paramount in Anderson, and a full summer concert series throughout Central Indiana. In 2006, the group became the resident band of the Madison County Jazz Festival, now the Pendleton Heights Jazz Festival. Currently, the band also performs at ballroom and swing dances, and has been contracted out for weddings, and corporate events. The band has performed with such talent as Allen Vizzutti, Eric Marienthal, Roger Ingram, Wycliffe Gordon, Bobby Shew, Greg Bissonette, Tom Garling, Jamey Aebersold, Lou Fischer, Larry McWilliams, Harry Miedema, Dave Povolka, Mark Buselli, Brent Wallarab, and Jeff Coffin. The band is under the direction of Chris Taylor.