A swinging big band with history

The Northern Rivers Big Band will swing Lismore this Sunday arvo with big band classics.

The Northern Rivers Big Band will play the Lismore Workers Club this Sunday, March 14.

This big band has a special history.

For many years, starting in the 1940s, the Stan Chilcott Band performed in the Lismore area. People would come for miles around to enjoy the music, to connect with each other and, of course, to dance.

After a memorial concert 12 months after Stan was killed (1972), it was decided to re-form the band. Thus the Northern Rivers Big Band was born.

The line-up has changed many times over the years but the style of music the band plays hasn’t. It’s big band swing – think Glen Miller and Benny Goodman. (Miller’s Moonlight Serenade would have to be the band’s signature tune.)

There are still six musos in the Northern Rivers Big Band who played in the Stan Chilcott Band – vocalist Jim Fairfull, Les Wilson on trumpet, Roger Munsie (band leader) playing saxophone, flute and clarinet, Owen Graham blowing baritone saxophone and Stan’s son, Barrie. (After starting his musical career on piano Barrie now plays tenor sax in the band.)

You can enjoy the big band experience this Sunday afternoon from 2pm.

And one of the many pleasures of this music is its danceability. So bring your dancing shoes.

Entry is $10 at the door.