SWAMPSCOTT — The town’s community jazz orchestra, Blue Big Band, will perform Duke Ellington’s Afro-Bossa Suite at the Swampscott High School Auditorium on Thursday evening at 7:15 p.m.
Timo Shanko, a Swampscott resident and a “world-class jazz musician,” according to the press release, will be directing the band. Shanko plays bass and saxophone with various other bands, such as The Slip, The Fully Celebrated Orchestra and Dub Apocalypse.
“Duke Ellington and his co-composer, Billy Strayhorn, represent the greatest in American Composition,” Shanko said. “The music transcends genre. The depth of feeling and musical mastery elevates our experience as players and listeners.”
Thursday’s concert will begin with Shanko’s quartet, including bassist Jeff Charland, pianist Harold Charon and drummer Steve Langone, and then continue with the Blue Big Band.
The band is also a program of the town’s senior center, which adds another layer of activity and fun for its members. Director of Aging Services Heidi Whear shared her excitement for the program.
“The Swampscott Senior Center is thrilled to have the Blue Big Band as a part of our center. The weekly practice sessions are always welcoming to the Senior Center members and we are looking forward to enjoying the concert on Thursday,” Whear said.
The musicians of the band are Khalil Abraham, Aria Balliro, Owen Begin, Joe Douillette, Deb Eames, Terry Lorber, Sara Ewing, Mathew Jensen, Erik Lawless, Terry Lorber, Michael McClung, Don McElroy, Valerie Sweeney, and Michael Walsh.
Band membership is open to anyone who has a connection to Swampscott, through residency, work, or education. Members rehearse once a week at Swampscott High School, and the band is always interested in gathering new members.
The band members all make financial contributions to ensure the success of the band. That money, along with ticket sales, allowed the band to hire Shanko as the Director.
The band is organized and managed by Douillette, who is also a Swampscott Resident and teacher at the high school.
Douillette, who played trombone at Swampscott High School and Boston University, lamented the lack of organized options for amateur musicians. “People who used to play basketball in school have regular pick-up games,” Douillette said. “Couldn’t there be a pick-up opportunity for low brass players?”
