The Great Lake Big Band

Taupō’s Great Lake Big Band is a 15 member band with an extensive repertoire of swing and jazz standards as well as arrangements of more contemporary pieces. The group has over 20 years’ experience playing at weddings, jazz clubs, concerts, balls and other functions where the full sound of a big band is desired.

While swing numbers might be stock in trade for the band, director Rowan Bolley also likes to test audiences, and his musicians, with some quirkier numbers. The group’s Christmas set includes Tom Kubis versions of some well-known carols and with a bit of notice the band can roll out multi-layered arrangements from Eric Richards, Don Menza or, if a headlong rush is called for, take a shot at something from the canon of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Most of the members tutor or teach music either at the local high schools, or with the Taupo School of Music – an organisation which provides primary students with a low-cost entry into learning an instrument.

The GLBB has two sets of married couples and a pair of brothers, so if harmony breaks down at least carpooling means the group has a reduced carbon footprint. Expect a sampling of traditional jazz standards interspersed with some fresh arrangements – the source of which is best not discussed.

Arrangers/Composers

Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Gordon Goodwin, Tom Kubis, Dave Wolpe, Sammy Nestico, Paul Jennings, Barry Clewett, Jerry Nowak…

Songs like:

Mack the Knife, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Hit the Road Jack, Take the A Train, It Don’t Mean a Thing, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Ain’t Misbehavin’, In the Mood, American Patrol, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Ol’ Devil Called Love, Misty, Bad Habits, Count Bubba, No Moon at All, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Bernie’s Tune… (over 150 arrangements to choose from) …

Jo Paull and John Curtis