Originally founded by Tom Nazziola and John Florio, The BQE Project is an accomplished chamber ensemble that has quickly developed a loyal following for its original music scores and live performances to both silent and classic film. Tom Nazziola, musical director and composer, prides himself on creating new film experiences by varying BQE’s instrumentation along with its film selections. As a result, audiences have come to expect from BQE a range of orchestral flavors as well as a wide palette of films from silent cartoons to early classics with dialog.

The ensemble, which is usually seven or eight pieces, is comprised entirely of successful classical and jazz musicians. Each BQE instrumentalist also performs regularly with other classical orchestras (New York Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra of St. Luke’s), as well as jazz artists (Ravi Coltrane, Arturo O'Farrill, Wynton Marsalis), popular artists (Paul Simon, Don Henley, Paul McCartney), and Broadway orchestras.