There will be 18 musicians on the stage as the Big Enuff Big Band hosts their premiere performance on Valentine’s Day at Knox Performance Centre.
Musicians on saxophones, trumpets, trombones and a rhythm section will come together for some big band sound featuring jazz standards and swing.
It’s been a few years since there’s been a big band in Prince George.
In the Mood Big Band retired in 2011 after being in the community since about 1995.
About five years ago rumblings could be heard throughout the music community about getting another big band started. Trumpet player Gregory Prosser and eight other musicians from the original big band came together with newbies to make this musical splash in Prince George.
The rehearsal schedule looks a bit different with this new big band where they gather once a month at Knox Performance Centre to rehearse. After a few months the urge to start performing in public took over and in November the band decided that a Valentine’s Day event would be perfect to show the community some love.
“There are nine originals, we’ll call them and the rest are new to the band,” Prosser said. “The rhythm section is all professionals that we are thrilled to have. Honestly, I think everybody played in high school in a jazz ensemble that is similar to this and it was a bug that bit pretty hard back in those days. Back then the most fun you could have was playing in a group like this and it still feels like that.”
In addition to being a band for hire, Prosser said Big Enuff Big Band wants to be involved with community events.
Right now the band is looking to be part of Canada Day celebrations, PGSO’s Pops in the Park, Summerfest and even the BC Northern Exhibition.
“The impact of an 18-piece band really leaning into something is really pretty powerful and an awful lot of fun,” Prosser said.
As far as the Valentine’s Day event goes Prosser said the conversation started with speculation of the possibility.
“And then all of a sudden it was a thing,” Prosser laughed.
“The range of music will be from the 1920s to about 2015 is the spectrum we’re covering. So everything from Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, there’s some Stevie Wonder, Brian Setzer, there’s even Huey Lewis & The News in the mix. There’s also Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, too. We couldn’t be more stoked about this premier performance with this new version of the band.”
The centre will be set up for table seating and balcony seating with refreshments available at the cash bar offering a full range of drinks and a concession offering sweet and salty snacks like candy, cookies and popcorn.
Tickets start at $20 at bigenuffbigband.com/Valentines-Concert.
