Bay Area Big Band Concert

Bay Area Big Band to Perform at Suttons Bay High School Thursday October 29

The Bay Area Big Band will perform at Suttons Bay High School’s auditorium on Thursday, October 29 at 7 pm. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults. Half the proceeds will benefit the Suttons Bay Schools band program.

The Bay Area Big Band will play a concert and our student high school jazz band will open for them. We have seven very talented musicians in our jazz band! Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Half of the proceeds from the evening will benefit our band program. Earlier that day member of Bay Area will also work with our student musicians.


"I'm new to the area, but understand that Suttons Bay loves jazz," says Alan Posner, director of the band program at Suttons Bay and a graduate of University of Michigan's School of Music. "Bay Area Big Band is pretty amazing and jazz lovers will be blown away. I'm excited for the kids to hear these guys and for them to work with our program."


Chris Bickley is the leader of the16 member Bay Area Big Band, who promises that the concert will represent the "Big Band era of music as it was meant to be played."

Bringing to life an era of big bands and ballroom dancing, the Bay Area Big Band generates an electricity and excitement guaranteed to bring you out of your seat. The swinging sounds of jazz one of America’s purist art forms is the foundation of this group. Building on a proud tradition of such historical bands as; Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, and more the Bay Area Big Band creates a musical experience not to be missed. The bands commitment to excellence and passion to carry on this rich musical heritage will turn any event in to a memory not soon forgotten.

From swing to contemporary, rich ballads to latin, the bands music reaches across generations, cultures, and all musical tastes. The arrangements and rich orchestrations highlight both the ensemble and individual talents.
The Bay Area Big Band includes Pete Asch, Pete Deneen, Tom Riccobono, Rick Culver, Mike Hunter, Bob Hicks, Steve Stargardt, Jack Dryden, George Bliss, John Lindeneau and others. Bickley, a saxophonist, has performed around the world as well as teaching at Northwestern Michigan College and Central Michigan University. He's a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy.

"We want to keep Big Band music alive," Bickley said, "while also supporting and inspiring young musicians.

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