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Biography: Big Bang Big Band
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BIOGRAPHY:
In just over two years, The Big Bang Big Band has already been in residency at Greenwich Village’s renowned jazz club The Garage for over two years. In addition to performing regularly at Swing 46, they have headlined at Manhattan’s Sweet Rhythm, Sardi’s, St. Peter’s Church, the Central Park Swings Festival, Connolly’s and have played events throughout the tri-state area. Their clean, exhilarating sound honors the classic jazz tradition while infusing it with a vibrant soulful twist; jazz aficionados and new listeners alike are drawn to it.
THE MUSIC: Led by seasoned jazz and big band saxophonist Tom Abbott, The Big Bang Big Band favors the music of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Louis Jordan and other such classic swing from the 1930's and 40's. Both the smaller 10-piece and full 16-piece groups are dance bands at heart. The larger band has an additional rock 'n'roll and disco repertoire, while the smaller band ranges outside of traditional swing to explore Ellington’s version of the Nutcracker Suite and the music of Sun Ra. No matter the size of the group, the Big Bang Big Band’s sound is danceable, classy, accessible and profound.
THE PLAYERS: Abbott leads his fellow jazz musicians in the project, professionals whose 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, and Tonic, to name a few. They have headlined at international jazz festivals in Marciac, Copenhagen, Brussels, Amsterdam and elsewhere throughout Europe, and have performed on international television and radio.
THE STORY: Abbott decided to create and direct his own orchestra in 2005. He assembled New York's finest players, choosing driven, younger-generation jazz musicians with a deep appreciation for classic big band music.
"I chose songs that I personally like, from Ray Charles’ ‘One Mint Julep’ to Strayhorn’s ‘Lotus Blossom’ to Benny Carter’s ‘When Lights Are Low,’” he says. “Some are songs that people know and love; others are gems that they may be hearing for the first time.”
"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."
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