|
Biography: Big Bang Big Band
>>VIEW SONGLIST
The Big Bang Big Band in a nutshell:
ABOUT:
The Big Bang Big Band has performed many times at Greenwich Village’s renowned jazz club The Garage; they are also long-time regulars at midtown's dance hot spot, Swing 46. The 10-piece band has headlined at Manhattan’s Sweet Rhythm, St. Peter’s Church, the Central Park Swings Festival, Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn Working Artist Coalition seasonal openings and Connolly’s, and performs at private and corporate events nationally. Their clean, exhilarating sound honors the classic jazz tradition while infusing it with a vibrant soulful twist.
THE MUSIC:
Led by seasoned jazz and big band saxophonist/arranger Tom Abbott, The Big Bang Big Band favors the music of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson and other such classic swing from the 1930's and 40's. Featuring an extensive and mixed repertoire of both instrumental and vocal tunes, Abbott also ranges outside of the classic swing genre to explore the likes of Sun Ra, Billy Strayhorn, and his own original music.
"I chose songs that I personally like, from Ray Charles’ ‘One Mint Julep’ to Sun Ra’s ‘Overtones of China’ to Benny Carter’s ‘When Lights Are Low,’” Abbott says. "We're not restricted to playing music from one set time period or era,” Abbott says. “We just want to play the music that sounds good, and what better place to dive in than Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Fletcher Henderson. It's just as simple as what sounds good."
POP OUT:
The band has the ability to 'pop out' into a smaller unit at events and cover a wide range of popular music as well. So if there is some pop music you'd like infused for your special event, Big Bang's singer Kelsey Jilliette can accommodate!
SELECTED HEADLINER VENUES:
NYC’s Sardi's, Sweet Rhythm, Central Park Swings Festival, Brooklyn Working Artist Coalition Festival, The Garage, St. Peter's Church, Swing 46, Galapagos, Connolly’s. Greenwich CT’s GRTA Hunt Ball, Greenwich CT's Beach Ball, Friends of Hudson River Park (FHRP) Series Events, private events.
MEMBER CREDITS INCLUDE:
Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Birdland, The Blue Note, Lincoln Center, The Hollywood Bowl, The China Club, Joe’s Pub, The Roxy, Minton’s Playhouse, The Jazz Gallery, Tonic. They have headlined at international jazz festivals in Marciac, Copenhagen, Brussels, Amsterdam and elsewhere throughout Europe, and have performed on international television and radio.
"Very creative pro players. The band Tom Abbott has is something special. Tom is not only a natural leader, he is an outstanding jazz clarinetist and sax player. The vocalist Kelsey Jillette...is one of the best in the business today. Totally soulful and rich in taste. She is a major talent! You ought to hear her. You have to. I hope you do."
-Tim Price, saxophonist, author, educator
For booking information on Big Bang Big Band or to book or hire this
band for your wedding reception, private event, corporate function or concert, |