Beantown Swing Orchestra

95 Curzon Mill Road,Newburyport MA 01950

24 July, 2022

Description

The 18-piece Beantown Swing Orchestra specializes in the performance and education of big band swing, one of the most popular and sophisticated forms of American music ever created. The combination of vintage, acoustic instruments with superior musicianship produces the distinct big band sound recognized by generations worldwide. With a rotating roster of young and talented musicians capable of mastering and perpetuating this great music, the band is well on its way to achieving its mission of bringing swing back into the mainstream for all to enjoy. The music of the Swing Era (1935-1946) was so popular among teenagers that it dominated the airwaves across the world with its infectious dance beat, exciting horn harmonies, and cheerful lyrics. Instrumentalists were idolized for their musicality and technical mastery and were young and energetic, with most of them in their twenties. This came to an end after WWII, when the microphone brought stardom to the vocalist while bands became reduced in size with a focus on the singer that continues to this day. The Beantown Swing Orchestra strives to bring recognition back to young players and the beautifully handcrafted instruments that were used during the Swing Era. To achieve this, the band recruits talented students in high school and middle school and trains them on professionally-restored pre-WWII instruments that the band provides. Once our musicians reach college age and have years of gigging experience behind them, many become mentors and teach the younger incoming players, thereby helping to perpetuate the performance of this timeless music.