The Johnny Knorr Orchestra lives on under the direction of Johnny’s son, Jerry Knorr. Jerry has been with the orchestra since its formation in 1960 and is well qualified to continue leading the orchestra in the Johnny Knorr musical style.
Jerry studied at the Eastman School of Music with Rayburn Wright, Manny Album, and Fred Karlin. In addition to his long tenure with the Johnny Knorr Orchestra, Jerry has also played with Warren Covington, Tex Beneke, Johnny Desmond, and Chuck Mangione.
To be certain, the orchestra will continue in the Knorr musical style under Jerry’s direction and will continue playing "The Music You Like....The Way You Like To Hear It."
Since 1960, the Johnny Knorr Orchestra has kept the big band tradition alive. Now, see the story behind the band! "Satin Dolls" takes a nostagic look back at the orchestra and the female vocalists who were often as popular as the big bands themselves. Get your own copy now! The DVD is available now for $20. Don't miss a chance to add this great DVD to your collection.
John C. "Johnny" John Christian Knorr, of Oregon, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 90 surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 28, 2011. Born in Crissey, Ohio, on May 24, 1921, to Reinhold and Mary (Reith) Knorr. At the age of nine, Johnny Knorr was on the stage playing violin solos made popular by David Rubinoff. During his junior high school days, he performed as a violin soloist on programs with Helen O'Connell. At Libbey High School, he was featured as a violin soloist with the orchestra and saxophone soloist with the band and he was awarded a scholarship to Ohio Northern University.
Johnny Knorr's latest recording has just been released and you may purchase it online. "Just the Way You Like It" is a 50th Anniversary tribute to one of America's great band leaders. This collection features the best of the best. It has been remastered and remixed for digital perfection. Some songs have never been released in digital form and some have only appeared on cassette! This is your chance to own a wonderful collection of big band music. Put on your dancing shoes and head to the dance floor! Listen to samples and order online right now!
Read more: "Just the Way You Like It" Celebrates 50 Years of Great Music
Toledo
Legends
Johnny Knorr nears 50 years of making music
Written by Laura Kruse | | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
It’s been almost 50 years since the Johnny Knorr Orchestra first took the stage to perform and, as far as Knorr is concerned, this Toledo-based musical group isn’t taking its last bow anytime soon.
“Music’s been my life,” Knorr said. “I love playing and hearing the music and, as long as I can hang in there, we’ll keep playing.”
Johnny and Jerry Knorr
Now, as he anticipates the half-century anniversary of his orchestra in 2010, the man who has helped keep big band music alive in Toledo is reflecting back on the past five decades of his career.
Johnny Knorr Orchestra Celebrates ‘Golden’ Anniversary
Sylvania Advantage / September 2009
by Michael Drew Shaw
Johnny Desmond, the great vocalist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, once told Johnny Knorr, “You play that sax the way I like to hear it.” Johnny Knorr coined that compliment as his trademark, “The music you like, the way you like to hear it” and has been using it ever since.
JUST THE WAY YOU LIKE IT, Johnny’s first CD in over 10 years is a tribute to the Johnny Knorr Orchestra 50th Anniversary. It is a collection of some of their greatest renditions of hits songs from the 1930s and 40s under the direction of one of America’s most accomplished big band leaders.