"You play tenor sax like I like to hear it!" - Johnny Desmond, vocalist with Glenn Miller

Many of the band members of the Johnny Knorr Orchestra were with Johnny for an average of over 20 years, which assures the quality of the bands' performance.  Gay Hobbs is the featured vocalist with special musical arrangements and has been with the band for two decades.  Howard Hill, pianist, also provided vocals for many years and joined Gay for some very special duets.  Johnny's son Jerry is the Musical Director.  Jerry attended Eastman School of Music and has provided several of the special music arrangements in the band's library. 

"What a great sound you get on that sax!" Henry Cuesta, The Lawrence Welk Show
 
Since 1979, Johnny helped return big band music to the forefront.  He performed at Centennial Terrace to record crowds and is credited with saving the traditional "Dancing Under the Stars" from devastation.  Repeat performances at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, Cedar Point and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island are just a few of the highlight performances of the Knorr band.  In 1984, the Johnny Knorr Orchestra was recognized as one of the "Big Bands of Today" in the souvenir edition of Foto-Play, published by the Big Bands Magazine in Hollywood, California.

"The Johnny Knorr Band is one of the most sought after dance bands in the Midwest today." Don Edwards, Retired Toledo Television Newscaster
 
In 1996, the United States Postal Service honored the Knorr Orchestra by presenting them with an award to commemorate the Orchestra's contributions to big band music in conjunction with their American Music Stamp Series.  On September 16, 1996, Johnny received a Proclamation from the Mayor of the City of Toledo, Ohio for performing big band music for the enjoyment and entertainment of thousands who live in the tri-state area.  March 9, 1997, Johnny received the People's Choice Award for the Performing Arts as the best Instrumental group.  On March 21, 1999, Johnny was inducted into the Lake Erie West Hall of Fame.
 
The Johnny Knorr Orchestra trademark is "The Music You Like...The Way You Like to Hear It™".  The Knorr band travels thousands of miles a year from Chicagoland to Washington, DC.  The band is noted for its great library of music and custom arrangements for shows and dances.  The play list for dances includes Swing, Foxtrot, slow and society, waltz, Cha Cha, Rhumba, Merengue, Samba, Mambo, Disco and Rock.  A program is set up for each engagement but is still flexible to answer special requests.

A noted critic once said, "Johnny brings a tremendous amount of experience and talent to the bandstand and provides a genuine warmth of his personality that brings music of yesterday and today together for his audiences."