The Willamette Valley Big Band will present its spring concert in Canby next month. “Swinging’ in Spring!” kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Canby United Methodist Church.
A new staple of the Light Up the Night Christmas event in Wait Park and other local events over the past couple of years, the Canby-based Willamette Valley Big Band is a 17-piece ensemble of brass, woodwinds and rhythm section plus male and female vocalists.
The band came together thanks in part to the efforts of Nate Clarizio, a musician and big band-era enthusiast from Happy Valley, who dreamed of putting together an ensemble and recapturing some of the post-WWII spirit of joy and enthusiasm in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group performs the best hits of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, including the repertoires of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller and the Dorsey Brothers. The bad is directed by Dr. Jeffrey Nelson and features the talents of many musicians from Canby and other Clackamas County communities.
Canby United Methodist Church is located at 1520 North Holly Street. Suggested donation for entry is $5.
For more information about the concert or the Willamette Valley Big Band, visit their Facebook page.
