Aspire Big Band |
| Wellington's newest swing band |
The Aspire Big Band is all about fun - the way people had fun in the big band era of the 1930s and 40s.
We specialise in traditional Swing music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole and Cole Porter. In 2011 we developed a Latin repertoire, and in 2012 are broadening further. When our audiences hear us, they just want to dance!
In 2011 the Aspire Big Band introduced more Latin music, ranging from traditional Cuban and Brazilian rhythms such as Chu Cho and Millers Mambo, to more recent popular songs like Bette Midler's version of Mambo Italiano.
Where have we performed? In 2010 the Aspire Big Band put on a Swing dance at the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club in Wellington, a cabaret show in Tawa, various performances at the Deco Decanted Festival in Napier, a fundraiser swing dance in Khandallah with a Big Band Era theme and various community Christmas shows and carols. So far in 2011 we have performed for Wellington Jazz Club at the D4 Restaurant and Bar, a dance at the Christian medical practitioners conference in Silverstream and the Khandallah Town Hall Grand Opening Ball. Our next public performances will be on tour in and around Nelson 24-26 February 2012.
Check out some of what we did in Napier by searching "Aspire Big Band" on YouTube.
Want to know more? To enquire about the possibility of the band performing at an event you are organising, email or phone us. Our contact details are at the top of the page.
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Email: aspire(at)aspire.ac.nz replace (at) with @ Phone: 02121 69691
Who are we? The Aspire Big Band formed in 2009 as a vehicle for staff, graduates, and advanced students of the Aspire Music Performance Academy to perform together.
In 2009-2011 the band mainly performed Swing dances and Art Deco themed concerts and cabarets. Based in Wellington, the Aspire Big Band has traveled to Taupo and Napier, and expects to travel more in future. We recently extended our Latin repertoire. So, between our 'Hot Swing' and 'Hotter Mambos', we provide plenty of toe-tapping energy.
Note: Some pieces have hyperlinks to YouTube
The Aspire Big Band rehearses in Tawa Wellington on Monday nights 7:30-9:00pm. Membership presents opportunities to perform publicly, network with other musicians, and enhance your skills. At present the band is particularly keen on finding an additional trombonist. If this is you, give us a call.
You may also like to complement membership of the Aspire Big Band by receiving free personal coaching from the Aspire Music Performance Academy. Contact the band's leader Gavin Knight or stage manager Ruthanne Kennedy. Email: aspire(at)aspire.ac.nz Phone: 02121 69691
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