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John M. Somers

Big Band Leader & Freelance Musician

About Me

On a cold winter night in February 1995 I had a DREAM to create a unique “hand-picked” 18 piece swing orchestra from within the New York City/New Jersey area. My DREAM selected all the musicians based on personality, love of the music and musicianship. Every musician was then offered the opportunity to purchase their respective seat as an “owner/shareholder”.

Hence, the Somers Dream Orchestra was born and possibly the only corporate owned Big Band in America! Today, the orchestra is enjoying the success resulting from a rare chemistry/communication bond created through this unusual corporate structure.

Making music and having fun with it is not a secret to this sensational swinging orchestra!

“We're not just musicians, we're entertainers!”

Our CD “A Mid-Somers Night Dream” was ranked #1 in sales on three occasions with Amazon.com. We were in the top 10 in sales for 3 consecutive months and have appeared in BILLBOARD, Jazz Now, Jazz Wize, Cadence, NJ Bride, Jersey Jazz magazines. We performed the largest music festival in the United States, MUSIKFEST 2000, Bethelhem, Pa. Presently we're recording our 2nd CD at Bennett Studios, Engelewood, NJ.

I absolutely love Big Band music and proudly carry the tradition of Big Bands and Big Band Leaders before me.