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Fox Big Band featuring Benny Benack III (International Jazz Days Festival)
Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
SHOW SOLD OUT – Tickets still available for Benny Benack III on Tuesday April 30th as a special guest with the Bonnie Northgraves Quintet
Fox Big Band enjoys a growing audience in Calgary, performing at the Ironwood Stage and Grill and other venues. The band’s repertoire explores a variety of different musical styles in blues, Latin jazz, rock, funk, bebop, fusion and contemporary music, all arranged in modern big band orchestration. With 13 horns, a full rhythm section and special guest vocalists, the ensemble impresses with the dynamic power of a big band—it can roar like the big band it is or can quietly purr on a gentle ballad as well.
The band’s musicians include some of Calgary’s finest jazz musicians, featuring a lot of improvisation along with some incredible ensemble playing. The band’s music ranges through well-known artists such as Pat Metheny, and Phil Collins, contemporary big bands such as Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and great classic big bands such as Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington and countless others. Some recent performances have featured the music of Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, pat Metheny, Count Basie, Buddy Rich and Mies Davis.
Fox Big Band was formed in the 80s by Doug Fox, a Calgary trumpeter and bass player and jazz arranger. Doug always enjoyed playing the music of the classic swing big bands but was also interested in composing and arranging contemporary big band music that crossed into other genres of music in blues, Latin jazz, funk, rock and other contemporary styles.
Band members
Brandon Oberhamer, alto sax leader
Scott Morin, alto sax
Fraser Calhoun, tenor sax
Frank Rackow, tenor sax
Malcolm McKay, baritone sax
Jane Dobbs, trombone
Nat Lazzarotto, trombone
Mike Harle, trombone
Mar James, trombone
Al Muirhead, trumpet
Mark Paidra, trumpet
Lionel Busch, trumpet
Grant Lowry, trumpet
Jeff Sulima, drums
Jason Clarke, bass
Trish Evans, piano
Bruce Hoag, percussion