West Seattle Big Band celebrates ten year anniversary

This Alumni band formed for a concert May 26 1996 at West Seattle high school. It has continued performing ever since, averaging 14 performances a year since then. Early on, the Alumni involved agreed if the band ever makes money, it would be put back into music programs in area public schools. To date over a dozen schools throughout the Seattle area, have received direct donations, equipment, equipment loans, or performances in support of, or jointly with the school music programs.

In addition to school performances, the band also plays at street festivals and park concerts throughout the summer. The band is also a favorite at the annual Locks music series out in Ballard, as well as many performances at the West Seattle Senior Center, and area retirement homes. West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival's Concert in the Park at the Hiawatha field house each July, is produced in part by the band.

The 18 piece big band has a large library of music, and can play a dance, a concert or anything in between. Vocalist Stephanie Cortez sings some of the great classic swing and torch numbers from the 30's 40's and 50's. The band has hosted numerous guests from many of the big bands in town such as the Kings of Swing and the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and special guests like recording artists Becca Duran, and the late Don Lanphere.

The band is for hire, and has played many holiday parties for employers in the Seattle area. Weddings are also a favorite use of big band music, and the group has played several over the years.

Performances

Over the years, we have had guests and local recording artists perform with the band including:
     Saxophonist      Don Lanphere
     Saxophonist      Dan Greenblat
     Vocalist             Becca Duran
     Guitarist            Lonnie Mardis

and many more local musicians, including students fromsome of the local high schools and college music programs.

We perform annually at several locations including:
     West Seattle High School All Class Reunion
     West Seattle Street Festival
     West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival
     Ballard Locks Music Series
     Sandpoint Community Music Series
     Evergreen High School Evening of Swing

Plus monthly performances at:

     The West Seattle Senior Center

You want us to play where….

It is amazing how small aspace you can fit a band of this size in, not that we like to do that on a regular basis. But some of the more memorable locations include:

     The Space Needle
     Union Station
     Ballard Elks (Shilshole Bay Beach Club)
     Broadway Knights of Columbus Hall
     Brockey Center at SSCC
     Sahallee Ski Lodge (Alpental)
     The Dome Room
     Lake Washington Rowing Club

Our satisfied clients include:

     Olympic Medical
     Zymogenetics
     Windemere Group
     City of Seattle
     West Seattle Junction Association
     West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival
     The Bon Marche

We can perform for concerts, dances,weddings, company parties, or just be really loud background music. With music ranging from Swing Era standards, updated standards, jazz standards, and a wonderful selection of vocal standards, we can tailor the performance to fit any situation.