Ed. Note: Jerry Swanberg has been the long-time voice of Minnesota Big Bands and continues to host “Big Band Scene” on KBEM radio. He also has promoted big band music through his monthly e-mail of “Big Band Events.” We’re hoping to expand Jerry’s impact by publishing his monthly listing here on Jazz Police.
SUMMER FESTIVALS
- July 4, Big Band Bang! Concert followed by fireworks !!! St Croix Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Andrew Walesch; Pioneer Park, Stillwater – 7 PM
- July 4, Roseville Big Band with the Rosetones Vocal Quartet; Central Park, 2540 Lexington Ave, Roseville – 7:30 PM
SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARKS
Como Dockside Pavilion, St Paul – 7 PM
- Sun, 7/10 – Stan Bann’s Big Bone Band
- Sun, 7/17 – Beasley’s Big Band
- Mon, 7/18 – Dirty Shorts Brass Band
- Wed, 7/27 – Bend in the River Big Band
- Mon, 7/31 – Moonlight Serenaders Big Band
Centennial Lakes Amphitheater, Edina – 7 PM
- Mon, 7/11- River City Jazz Orchestra
- Wed, 7/13 – Capri Big Band
- Sun, 7/31 – Brio Brass Band
Lake Harriet Bandshell, Mpls – 7:30 PM
- Tues, 7/19 – Classic Big Band
Other Parks
- Sun, 7/03 – Jazz on the Prairie Big Band at Round Lake Park, Eden Prairie – 5 PM
- 7/06 – Brio Brass Band at Market Fest, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan – 7 PM
- Thurs, 7/07 – Jazz on the Prairie Big Band at Salo Park, St Anthony Village – 7 PM
- Sat, 7/09 – Big Stoop Chamberlain Big Band at Anoka Riverfest – 12:30 PM
- Tues, 7/12 – Brio Brass Band at Central Park, Roseville – 7 PM
- Wed, 7/13 – Jazz on the Prairie Big Band at The Village, Mendota Heights – 6:30 PM
- Thurs, 7/14 – Red Rock Swing Band at Lakefront Park, Hudson WI – 7 PM
- Thurs, 7/14–Tim Patrick and His Blue-Eyes Band, Augsburg Park (Richfield) –7 pm
- Sat, 7/16 – Paul Mazzacona / Mazz Jazz Juggernaut at Town Green Amphitheater, Maple Groove – 7 PM
- Sun, 7/17– LaValle Jazz Cats (Mini BB) at Highland Fest, 1974 Ford Pkwy– 3:30PM
- Tues, 7/19 – Dirty Shorts Brass Band at Normandale Lake, Bloomington 7 PM
- Wed, 7/20 – Jazz on the Prairie Big Band at Central Park, Delano – 6:30 PM
- Thurs, 7/21 – Bend in the River Big Band at Golden Lake, Circle Pines – 6:30 PM
- Thurs, 7/21 – Classic Big Band at Yost Park, White Bear Lake – 6:30 PM
- Tues, 7/26 – Roseville Big Band at Central Park Amphitheater, Roseville – 7 PM
- Wed, 7/27 – Cedar Ave Big Band at Charlson Thun Community Bandstand, DT Victoria – 6:30 PM
- Wed, 7/27 – Jazz on the Prairie Big Band at Staring Lake Park, Eden Prairie – 7 PM
- Wed, 7/27 – River City Jazz Orchestra at Minnehaha Falls Bandshell, Mpls – 7 PM
GIGS
Crooners Lounge, 6161 NE Hwy 65 (Central Av), Fridley, 7-10 pm
- 7/5, Acme Jazz Company With Vocalist Arne Fogel
Big Band Tuesday – Jazz Central, 407 Central Ave, SE Mpls – 8:30 PM
- 7/5 — Bill Simenson Orchestra
- 7/12 – Cedar Avenue Big Band
- 7/19 – Explosion Big Band
- 7/26 – Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra
Minnesota Music Café – 499 Payne Ave, St Paul – 7 PM (Dance Floor)
- Tues, 7/12 – Nova Jazz Orchestra
- Tues, 7/19 – River City Jazz Orchestra
- Tues, 7/26 – Dirty Shorts Brass Band
DANCES
Wabasha Street Caves, 215 Wabasha Street, St Paul – 7 PM every Thursday
- 7/7 – Moonlight Serenaders
- 7/14 – Minnesota Jazz Orchestra
- 7/21 – Beasley’s Big Band
- 7/28 – Swingbeat Big Band
Classic Big Band & the Nostalgics Vocal Quartet – Swing to the Real Thing
- Fri, 7/8 – Bloomington KC Hall, 1114 American Blvd, Bloomington – 8 PM
Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra with Charmin Michelle – Ballroom Dance
- Sun, 7/10 & 7/24 – Cinema Ballroom, 1560 St. Clair Ave. St Paul – 7 PM
BIG BAND SCENE ON KBEM RADIO, 88.5 FM, WITH JERRY SWANBERG
Featuring Big Bands of Today from Across the World! (& Local Big Bands), Monday at 7 PM & Sunday at 10 PM, and On-Demand at jazz88fm.com:
- Mon 6/27 & Sun 7/3 – Diva Jazz Orchestra from NYC
- Mon 7/4 & Sun 7/10 – Glenn Miller Orchestra of Today
- Mon 7/11 & sun 7/17 – Chris Walden Big Band from LA
- Mon 7/18 & Sun 7/24 – Best Foreign Big Band CDs of 2015 Repeat
- Mon 7/25 & Sun 7/31 – Best College Big Bands CDs of 2015 Repeat
