One of Bath’s most vibrant community music groups are gearing up to celebrate their 18th birthday in grand style. Bath Community Big Band are holding a huge joint gig with special guests the South London Jazz Orchestra in aid of homelessness charity the Genesis Trust. The event will take place on Saturday 6th October at 7:30pm in Christ Church on Julian Road in Bath.
Bath Community Big Band was first formed at the University of Bath in October 2000. The aim was to allow anyone interested in playing big band music to have a go without facing a daunting audition. Eighteen years later, there are still no auditions and the band regularly perform jazz, swing, Latin and funk music at venues across the city and beyond. To celebrate 18 years of inclusive music making, Bath Community Big Band have invited the South London Jazz Orchestra to join them for a big evening of big band music.
Matthew Jones, the gig organiser said “Bath Community Big Band has been a highlight of my week ever since the first rehearsal 18 years ago. However, when living in London for two years, I had to find a new group to play with and was lucky enough to perform with the South London Jazz Orchestra. I am very excited to be bringing both groups together for our birthday party! These are two of the country’s biggest big bands, so expect plenty of noise at an evening featuring over 60 performers”.
A standard big band has fewer than 20 musicians, whereas Bath Community Big Band has about 30 members and South London Jazz Orchestra is bringing about 35 performers.
Matthew Jones continued “Bath Community Big Band and the South London Jazz Orchestra are unusual in the big band world for welcoming anyone to play without an audition. We’re looking forward to getting to know each other, hearing each group play and sharing our enjoyment of playing music for fun”.
The gig will take place on Saturday 6th October at 7:30pm in Christ Church on Julian Road in Bath. Tickets will be available on the door for £9 (£3 for under 18s/students; carers free). All profits from ticket sales and the interval bar will be donated to the Genesis Trust.
