Bringing the Big Band Sound to BDACT

Get ready for the swinging sounds of big band music with the Beaver Dam area’s own Paddle City Big Band at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 in the BDACT’s Kamps Auditorium.

Big band music became popular around World War II with hits like “In the Mood.” Many associated big band music with swing dance. While today’s big bands still enjoy playing the classic songs that popularized the big band sound, a modern big band, often called a jazz orchestra, plays more current and popular tunes but in the style of big band. The big band sound usually is created with just under 20 musicians with a focus on a strong, layered sound from sections of brass and reed instruments, a driving rhythm section and syncopated “swing” rhythms.

Paddle City Big Band plays a wide variety of big band favorites and a few popular tunes “reimagined” in the style of big band. The band always begins their concerts with their signature tune, “Paddle City Blues,” commissioned for the band and written by Neenah native Chris McRay. The traditional “In the Mood” will feature our amazing sax section.

For this concert we are thrilled to feature our guest artists, It’s About Time, a vocal barbershop quartet from the Fox Valley. They will sing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” with our band.

PCBB will also perform more modern-era big band tunes like James Taylor’s “Country Road” and The Beatles’ “Yesterday.” John Denver’s “Sunshine on My Shoulders” becomes a lovely jazz waltz while Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” drives and it’s really hard to sit still while it’s being played!

I think our favorite reimagined tune in the style of a big band is a tune that you all know, “You Are My Sunshine.”

It promises to be a wonderful afternoon of music and we even will sneak in a Christmas tune or two to start your holiday season off correctly.

Paddle City Big Band began in the fall of 2022 and is the brainchild of Kim and Todd Halverson. The 19 members of Paddle City Big Band all live in the Beaver Dam area. Many are area music teachers, but everyone has played in jazz ensembles during their own school years.

Paddle City Big Band presents a Sunday matinee concert twice a year, once in November and once in April. The concerts feature big band tunes from the classics to modern jazz orchestra pieces. The two-hour show includes commentary from our Master of Ceremony and a variety of music for all to enjoy. We are so looking forward to sharing our love for this style of music with you!

To learn more about the Paddle City Big Band’s Nov. 23 concert or to purchase tickets, please check out the BDACT show page.