About
the
Sarasota"Big Band"Jazz Ensemble
Sarasota Jazz Ensemble was founded in 2001 by local Sarasota resident Bob Hofferberth who plays lead trombone in the band. Originally the band was formed solely as a rehearsal band for the purpose of performing arrangements of the great Stan Kenton Orchestra. In the past few years, they have diversified their repertoire to include some of the greatest contemporary arrangers such as Sammy Nestico, Bill Hollman, Tom Kubis as well as many of the classic big band hits of the Swing Era. This past season the band has performed twelve concerts that included tributes to the Swing Era, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. In February of 2006, Ms. Jan Eberle, daughter of singer Ray Eberle, joined efforts with SJE in a fund raiser for the Ray Eberle Vocal Scholarship Fund under the umbrella of The Glenn Miller Scholarship Fund. Ms. Eberle was also a featured guest artist along with regular featured vocalist, Mary Beth McLeod in a tribute to Glenn Miller.
SJE is a nonprofit organization that provides a venue for the performance of both classic and contemporary big band jazz repertoire. The band is made up of approximately 20 members which are local residents from all walks of life that include school teachers, retired doctors, high school students as well as full time and part time musicians. The band rehearses year around at Riverview High School in Sarasota every Wednesday evening. Personnel Featured Vocalist Mary Beth McLeod Saxophones Greg Amos, George McClain, Bob Zimmerman, Robb Costa, Tyler Winsor - Honorary Lifetime Member, Denis Hill. Trombones Bob Stoll, Bob Hofferberth, Ray Parkins, Karl Olsen, Becky Guth, Eric Guth, Trumpets Chris Staine (Asst. Conductor), Chris Chido, Rick Louis, Joe Albright, Ed Meyer, Justin Seymour. Ryhthm Section Drums & Rhythm- Dane Hassan, Leo Demski Electric Base Don Colladay , Acoustic Bass & Drums, Larry Trott, Piano, Mark Allebach, Guitar, Bill Sanders, Conga Drums & Salsa Leo Demski. Photographer.
Gary Humes
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