From GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Due to demand, The North Coast Big Band will return for its 26th appearance as part of the Rhythm on the River Arts Series in Grand Rapids on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m. The series is sponsored by the Grand Rapids Historical Society, and the band will be performing in the Wright Pavilion, located on the towpath between the canal and the Maumee River, at the end of Lincoln Street, behind LaRoe’s Restaurant.
The 16-piece Big Band, under the direction of Gary Keller, was formed in 1987 by members of the North Coast Concert Band when some members of the band stayed after rehearsal to read through big band music. The group’s repertoire includes traditional big band music from bands led by Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. They also perform swing, jazz, and pop music from different decades and tunes arranged by local artists. The band includes five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, bass, piano, and drums.
This Rhythm program was sponsored by members of the historical society.
The programs are free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and join the historical society in this setting alongside the Maumee River and be ready to hum and tap along to tunes from yesterday and today. In case of rain, the program will be moved to the old fire station, father west on Front Street.
