Events
Lighthouse Big Band | “The Legacy of Count Basie”
The Count Basie Orchestra’s music has been with us since the mid 1930’s, when William “Count” Basie took over the Benny Moten band, upon Moten’s death. After some challenges, the Count Basie Orchestra had a slew of hits that helped to define the big-band sound of the 1930s and ’40s. Some of their notable songs included “One O’Clock Jump”—the orchestra’s signature tune which Basie composed himself — and “Jumpin’ at the Woodside.”
During the 1960s and ’70s, Basie recorded with luminaries like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson. Basie ultimately earned nine Grammy Awards over the course of his career, but he made history when he won his first, in 1958, as the first African American man to receive a Grammy. A few of his songs were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame as well, including “April in Paris” and “Everyday I Have the Blues.”
The Lighthouse Big Band will be performing music from several era’s of the Basie band from the 30’s through the 70’s and beyond. Come join us for swingin’ dance music and classic tunes from the music of Count Basie.
Come join us in the Fountain City Jazz and Dance Club for another entertaining evening of big band jazz!
Time: 7 PM – 9 PM
Bar Opens: 6 PM
Price/Tickets: Free Admission
Location: Fountain City Jazz and Dance Club
A WAMI nominee for Best Big Band, the band plays a variety
of genres in the big band style. The Lighthouse Big Band performs music including traditional big bands/dance bands of the 30’s and 40’s, the music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, Latin Jazz, contemporary big bands like Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, as well as big band versions of rock/fusion music.
The LBB has long been the house band for the Fond du Lac Jazz Festival, and has appeared in concert and dance venues throughout the state backing such jazz stalwarts as Tom “Bones” Malone, David “Fathead” Newman, Kevin Mahogany, Eugene Rousseau, Tony Scodwell, Scott Whitfield and Ginger Bergman, Janet Planet, and the acclaimed jazz trumpeter Valery Ponomarev.
“The Lighthouse Big Band is honored to be a part of the area arts community, presenting listening opportunities, promoting learning opportunities and preserving this great art form,” says Brad Curran of Curran Music Studios and leader of the Lighthouse Big Band.
Band Information HERE
Free