Local Looks: Joe Gransden brings ‘Frank Sinatra and Friends’ to the Noorda Center
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- Joe Gransden plays the trumpet during a performance at the Noorda Center in Orem on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
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- Members of Joe Gransden’s 16-piece band perform during a concert at the Noorda Center in Orem on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
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- A pianist performs with Joe Gransden during a concert at the Noorda Center in Orem on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
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- Joe Gransden sings during a performance at the Noorda Center in Orem on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
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- Members of Joe Gransden’s 16-piece band perform during a concert at the Noorda Center in Orem on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Saturday night brought soulful jazz to the heart of Orem as Joe Gransden and his 16-piece band graced the stage at the Noorda Center. The theme of the evening was “Frank Sinatra and Friends” — and with everyone dressed to the nines, it was sure to be a fun evening.
There is something about a live 16-piece band that is hard to describe. As a lover of music, and someone who frequents a lot of music events, I thought I knew what I signed up for when attending this event. However, I was not expecting the richness that Gransden’s band brought to the stage — not just in music alone but also how well they performed together; you would not think they were playing covers. The songs fused into the very instruments they were playing. Gransden immediately won the hearts of the audience as soon as he took the stage. He can befriend the audience quickly but genuinely. The first song the group performed was “Without a Song” by Frank Sinatra, a perfect choice for an evening filled with music.
As the night progressed, Gransden showed his skill in singing and as an accomplished trumpet player. Since the theme was “Frank Sinatra and Friends,” he came out into the crowd and played a trumpet line from Louis Armstrong before taking the stage and attempting to sing as Louis did. The attempt was strong and impressive for a voice as unique as Armstrong’s. They also played a handful of Tony Bennett songs and a song about Paris that was beautifully arranged by his pianist. The evening was full of laughter and fun, and it was hard not to be engrossed in the heart put into the performance by Gransden and each of his band members. Song after song, the crowd held onto each note before joining the band in singing the Sinatra classic “My Way.” Long after the band left the stage, the crowd stayed seated, almost waiting and hoping that there would be one more encore, so the night did not have to end.
The Noorda Center, located at Utah Valley University, is quickly becoming a notable contender in the lineup of notable art and music venues scattered across the Wasatch Front. With the concert hall holding a capacity of nearly 900 and a beautifully crafted stage with a 130-seat choir loft, the only word to describe the hall is grand. While Gransden and his 16-piece band were the last ones to take the stage for the 2023-2024 season, the 2024 – 2025 season was just announced and has an equally impressive lineup as the previous year. Be sure to get tickets for the upcoming season soon!
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