Otamatea ball

On Saturday 10th September the BCBB played for the Otamatea High School Ball. Students had gone to a lot of trouble to completely decorate the school hall, entrances and exits in a marine theme.

Students had been taught by a professional dance teacher over the previous six weeks to learn a variety of dances including waltz, quick step, Maxina, barn dance and chicken dance. The band played a variety of appropriate tunes so that students could take part in all of the above dances. The music was well received by students and ball organisers. The dance floor was usually full and novelty events like statue dances, snow ball and the Monte Carlo added to the enjoyment and variety. The BCBB, with a selection of over 500 tunes, is able to cater for a wide range of occasions, including a ball for high school students. Students enjoyed the opportunity to take part in a variety of dances and this ball will certainly be fondly remembered by them for a long time. Band members enjoyed the variety of music played and liked seeing the young people dancing enthusiastically to this type of music.

Contacts

The Basin City Big Band is available to play for a variety of functions, paid or unpaid, depending on the occasion. The band has a library of over 500 musical items that it can play ranging from old time dance music, to swing, to modern, jazz, blues and rock. We also have vocalists who sing with many of our numbers.

Contact the manager, StephenThorne, on 09 4362095 (home), 021 1688 149 (cell) or by email at sjthorne@xtra.co.nz if you are interested in the band playing for your function.

Big Birthday Bash

The Big Band played for Colin Toomer's 65th birthday part on Saturday. He organised every musical group he plays with plus a few more to play back to back at Onerahi Community Hall. A good turnout, the carpark was chokka and watch out if you parked in the wrong place, the parking warden soon had you sorted out. The big band played on the stage and by crikey it was loud, probably due to the low proscenium arch. After a few pieces everyone figured this out and dropped their volume a little to compensate. Colin, seated centre stage in front of the band opened the set with some loud drumming on "Sing, Sing, Sing." Musical Director Ray Palmer lead from the back on bass. Highlights of the band's performance were some grunty bari sax playing by Luka Grbavac on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and the dulcet tones of Sara Harris singing Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen." Other notable performances during the event were the Red Arrows brass quintet playing dixie with special guest, Jim Thorne playing a mean clarinet, and the Whangarei District Brass Band led by Brent Stephens. Photos below courtesy of Eric Parker.

The birthday boy

Basin City Big Band with Sara Harris. Must be a long note for the trombones because two of them are turning red!

Terence singing one of his numbers. Only two trumpets at this gig, no-one noticed except for Dianne and Stephen (alto sax) who were grateful.

The internationally famous Red Arrow Quintet comprising Derek Hopper, Ray Palmer, Ian Mason and Barbara Mason and Jim Thorne (out of picture). Do trombone players ever do any work?

Players for next gig

Here is the list of players for the next gig. As you can see we have had to replace some players who were not up to scratch and added some string players and extra management.

Gig at L'affaire

Last Saturday the big band played a four hour gig for a corporate function at L'Affaire, Whangarei. Despite some difficulties with a cramped setup the band played well and was appreciated by the crowd. John Drake took some pics before the evening got underway:


 Luka with his mean machine.

In the back are three of the trumpet section, one warming up, the other two reading articles on how to play the trumpet. Is there a more studious section in the band?

Sara looking glamorous as usual, and she made it to the gig on time.

Sax section discussing the finer points of the first chart.

Photos from the archives

Here are some historical pics of the band. Someone from those eras will have to email me the names of the band members, and maybe the venue the band was playing at. At least 7 of the middle photo are still playing with the group today.

Opera in the Park

Last Saturday the big band played with Opera North, a 20 strong choir, as the sang hits from Broadway. The event was the annual Opera in the Park event which attracts very large numbers of people to the extensive gardens of the Kenaways at Glenberive. Unfortunately the singers and piano were well miked up but the big band was not so members of the audience reporting being unable to hear the big band.

Nellie's Wedding in Dargaville

On Saturday night we played at the Dargaville Town Hall for our pianist, Janelle Wordsworth's,  wedding reception. Janelle joined the band for Someone to Watch Over Me.

Whangarei Museum

The big band played for two hours to passing but appreciative crowds. After a short break our drummer was engrossed in enjoying his BBQ sausage he missed the first number of the next set, way to go Colin. However, he got his come-uppance when an enthusiastic boy from the crowd tried to unseat him and take over the drumming position.