Where We’ve Performed
Here is a sample of some of the places and events where The Blue River Big Band has performed (there have been multiple performances in each venue):
- Foellinger Theater—Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Three Rivers Festival—Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Jefferson Pointe “Friday Nights Live” – Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Grand Wayne Center—Fort Wayne, Indiana
- 4th of July Celebration—Columbia City, Indiana
- Old Settler’s Festival—Columbia City, Indiana
- Warsaw Ballroom Dance Association—North Webster, Indiana
- Warsaw Parks Association—Warsaw, Indiana
- Huntington University Fall Concert—Huntington, Indiana
What We Do
Since the first rehearsal in 2001 the band has performed over 70 times in concerts, weddings, banquets, jazz festivals, dances, reunions, graduation parties and other social events all over the Northeast Indiana area. The Blue River Big Band prides itself in being one of the most versatile big bands in the area, performing both traditional big band music with style and class and also newer music such as rock, pop and Latin with high-energy. The band is equally comfortable performing dance music for a ballroom dance group as it is performing a concert in a large indoor hall or outdoor pavilion. Performances are livened up with each musician in the band able to play exciting, improvised jazz solos. We like to have fun when we play, and that is always very apparent to those who watch and listen to the band perform.
The Blue River Big Band also strives to serve the local community. Among other activities, the band has staged an annual Christmas Concert in Columbia City with a free-will offering for a local charity ever since its inception. One hundred percent of the proceeds are donated and since 2001 thousands of dollars have been raised for the community. We thank all those who have made this event a yearly success by donating at the concert.
A Little History
The Blue River Big Band began with two friends, Todd Ward and Jason Klingaman, who were looking for more opportunities to play with a big band in the Northern Indiana area. A brass quartet, Brass Generations, consisting of two trumpets and two trombones (Mike Rush and Phil Zent were the other two members), already existed and Todd and Jason also knew several other excellent players in the area. So after a few phone calls and a little organizing, The Blue River Big Band had its first rehearsal in January 2001.
About the Band
Where We’ve Performed
Here is a sample of some of the places and events where The Blue River Big Band has performed (there have been multiple performances in each venue):
Since the first rehearsal in 2001 the band has performed over 70 times in concerts, weddings, banquets, jazz festivals, dances, reunions, graduation parties and other social events all over the Northeast Indiana area. The Blue River Big Band prides itself in being one of the most versatile big bands in the area, performing both traditional big band music with style and class and also newer music such as rock, pop and Latin with high-energy. The band is equally comfortable performing dance music for a ballroom dance group as it is performing a concert in a large indoor hall or outdoor pavilion. Performances are livened up with each musician in the band able to play exciting, improvised jazz solos. We like to have fun when we play, and that is always very apparent to those who watch and listen to the band perform.
The Blue River Big Band also strives to serve the local community. Among other activities, the band has staged an annual Christmas Concert in Columbia City with a free-will offering for a local charity ever since its inception. One hundred percent of the proceeds are donated and since 2001 thousands of dollars have been raised for the community. We thank all those who have made this event a yearly success by donating at the concert.
A Little History
The Blue River Big Band began with two friends, Todd Ward and Jason Klingaman, who were looking for more opportunities to play with a big band in the Northern Indiana area. A brass quartet, Brass Generations, consisting of two trumpets and two trombones (Mike Rush and Phil Zent were the other two members), already existed and Todd and Jason also knew several other excellent players in the area. So after a few phone calls and a little organizing, The Blue River Big Band had its first rehearsal in January 2001.