Saxophones wailed and trumpets blared as the history of the “big band” was showcased at a special concert held at the West Ranch High School Performing Arts Theater Sunday.
The show was put on by Go Jazz Big Band, a community Jazz ensemble who, according to Band Director Brian Leff, “just loves to play for Santa Clarita.”
Sunday’s set list featured a slew of chronologically-ordered big band hits, starting in 1900 with the beginning of the genre, through the big band era, into the ‘50s and ‘60s, continuing on into today and finally touching on the future of what the big band will be.
Saugus resident Glynis Grafton brought her 93-year-old dad Mike with her to the concert. The pair grew up with big band music their whole lives.
“I just knew even though he can’t see anymore he loves listening to this music so I thought this would be a fun thing for us to do,” she said.
When asked why big Band music is important to him, Mike Grafton, who used to play the clarinet, had a simple answer.
“It brings back memories of my youth,” he said.
“I always enjoyed good music when I was younger and I still do.”
Go Jazz Big Band will next be performing on December 13th at Vincenzo’s Pizza in Newhall for a holiday show.
More information about the band can be found at gojazzbigband.com
