Michael McKeon

Introducing the LET'S DANCE Big Band. The Bands History

The Big Band was originally formed in 1981 and played a number of "gigs", weddings, balls, dinner dances and concerts. After a few years we decided to form an Octet from the band as a Big Band was not financially attractive for the times. However over recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in the music of the 30’s and 40’s thanks to the broadcasting of our kind of music by many public and community radio stations. We reformed the bigger band to successfully audition for the Lilydale International venue for dinner dances in 1994 and in the years since we have played for extended seasons at various suburban Hotels as well as special functions at some of Melbourne's elite Hotels including the Palladium Room in the Crown Casino. Recently we have done "special" shows at the ASTOR Theatre playing swinging music after the film showing to a very enthusiastic audience. We have also played for a number of RSL Clubs, the RACV, Weddings, Dance Clubs and local Council events such as the Kingston Art Centre's Sunday Soirees. We have enjoyed playing for fund raising groups such as Community Aid Abroad, the Victorian Jazz Musicians Benefit Fund and a number of Rotary Club Balls.

Spreading the Gospel of Swing we have also played live to air, "warts and all", on community radio 3CR 855 AM and Southern FM 88.3 to very enthusiastic audiences. Band Personnel

The band is made up of five saxophonists ( all doubling on flutes and clarinets ), a brass section of three trumpets, three trombones and a rhythm section of piano, double bass and drums, 14 in all. There is a good mix of young and older age members all with a broad experience ranging from university music training to many years in the Town Hall dance scene, theatre pit, teaching, jazz and orchestral areas. Our Repertoire

The arrangements, "charts", we use are in most cases authentic renditions from the well known recordings or unique adaptations for us, along with some writing by band members. Our library covers music from the classic big band era with music from Goodman, Miller, Basie, Shaw, Ellington, Herman, Dorsey, Zentner, James and many more. We are not locked into a set era or style of music and we have charts of many of the great standards and some of the better modern songs.

With the resurgence of swinging music and dancing in America and Australia we have included more of the music suitable for the Lindy Hoppers and jivers in our repertoire also.

We also have an Old Time dance book covering dances such as the Barn dance, Charmaine, Evening 3 step, Pride of Erin, Swing Waltz, Tangoette, etc.. We enjoy Latin rhythms too and play Cha Chas, the Rhumba, the Samba and the Mambo.

We have great singers with the band also in Anna Struth and Paul Dunn and they sing favourites from Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Shirley Bassey, Linda Ronstadt, Natalie and Nat King Cole, Joe Williams, Bobby Darin, Louis Prima amongst others and we specialise in having many of Frank Sinatra’s most popular songs. If you enjoy dancing you are almost certain to see Ron and Margaret Winchester - known as the "SWINGCHESTERS"!! at our gigs. Ron and Margaret are not only wonderful dancers but they are an inspiration to young and old in the way they enjoy the music.

For Smaller Budgets

We can also provide an Octet or smaller bands, for more info check out our Small Combos page for the more intimate venue or limited budgets, such as weddings or parties. The Costs

If required we can supply a 150 watt P.A. System which boosts our flutes, clarinets, vocals and announcements. We have an ABN registered with the Australian Tax Office and our costs are based on the Musicians Award, special rates can be negotiated for unusual circumstances or charity events.

Gear

Buffet soprano sax Yamaha alto sax Selmer tenor sax Buffet A&B clarinets Sankyo flute