Tom Abbott's Big Bang Big Band July 1, 2008

In just two short years, The Big Bang Big Band has already been in residency at Greenwich Villages renowned jazz club, The Garage for more than a year. They have headlined at Manhattans Sweet Rhythm, St. Peters Church, the Central Park Swings Festival, Swing 46 and Connollys. Their clean, exhilarating sound honors the classic jazz tradition while infusing it with a vibrant soulful twist; jazz aficionados and new listeners alike are drawn to it.

THE MUSIC: Led by seasoned Dixieland, jazz, and big band saxophonist Tom Abbott, The Big Bang Big Band favors the music of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson and other such classic swing from the 1930's and 40's. With an extensive and mixed repertoire, however, Abbott also ranges outside of the classic swing genre to explore the likes of Sun Ra and other modern composers.

THE PLAYERS: Abbott leads 15 of his fellow jazz musicians in the project. They are young professionals whose credits include Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Birdland, The Blue Note, Lincoln Center, The Hollywood Bowl, The China Club, Joes Pub, The Roxy, Mintons Playhouse, and Tonic, to name a few. They have headlined at international jazz festivals in Marciac, Copenhagen, Brussels, Amsterdam and elsewhere throughout Europe, and have performed on international television and radio.

THE STORY: Abbott decided to create and direct his own orchestra in 2005. He assembled 15 of New York's finest players, choosing driven, younger-generation jazz musicians with a deep appreciation for classic big band music.

"I chose songs that I personally like, from Ray Charles One Mint Julip to Strayhorns Lotus Blossom to Benny Carters When Lights Are Low, he says. Some are songs that people know and love; others are gems that they may be hearing for the first time.
"We're not restricted to playing music from one set time period or era, Abbott says. We just want to play the music that sounds good, and what better place to dive in than Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Fletcher Henderson.

It's just as simple as what sounds good."

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of clmgarage.