Band gives final concert for year
While swing numbers might be stock in trade for Taupo¯ ’s Great Lake Big Band, band director Rowan Bolley also likes to test audiences and his musicians with some quirkier arrangements.
A number of these will be showcased when the band’s 15 competent musicians round out the midday concert series for 2019 on Friday, December 6 at St Andrew’s Anglican Church.
Established for over 20 years, the Great Lake Big Band is set to play a handful of new items that include the Ella Fitzgerald version of Don’t be That Way ,a conversation-provoking tune called Blues in the Closet and a modern arrangement of the jazz standard Time After Time, made famous by the likes of Sarah Vaughn and Chet Baker.
There will be other Chet Baker and Count Basie favourites — But Not For Me, Tickle Toe and Flight of the Foo Birds, along with some of the band’s more established repertoire — and one or two Christmas songs.
The Great Lake Big Band has recently recorded a number of tunes with the help of local
Graham Sullivan of Lakeside Recording Studio.
There will be more information on this at a later date but in the meantime come along and listen to them perform in person. The hour long concert on December 6 starts at 12 noon. Entry for adults is $5, and children/students $2. Everyone is welcome so we hope to see you there. Midday concerts will then take a break until March 6, 2020.
■ For further information contact organisers Elizabeth Marshall on 378 9296, Tracey Lidington on 027 240 9228, or see our Facebook page Midday Concert for details.