Russ Peterson & The Bellagala Big Band....

Big Band Scene (a radio show on KBEM / Jazz 88) and the Twin Cities Jazz Society, is presenting their Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Big Band Swing Dance on Friday, November 27, at 8 PM, at the Bloomington KC Hall Ballroom, 1114 American Blvd, Bloomington. Russ Peterson will be directing the mighty Bellagala Big Band, comprised of some of the best big band musicians in town. There are plenty of tables for you if you just want to listen.

Russ has been leading his Big Band for four years, performing a couple times a year at the Old Log Theater in Excelsior. One of the great musicians in the band is lead trumpeter Larry Foyen, a veteran of the Maynard Ferguson and Ray Charles bands. The rest of the trumpet section includes Pete Davis, Rick Everitt, and Geof Senn. The trombonists are Dave Graf, Jin ten Bensel, Bob Glenn (who also is their vocalist), and Eric Songer. The saxophonists are Russ Peterson, Doug Haining, Don George, Norm Staska, and Adam Bestler. Pianist Ron Seaman, bassist Steve Pikal, and drummer John Lund complete the band. The bands ensemble playing is outstanding, and the band swings like crazy.
The band’s huge dance book library features the music of Les Brown, plus charts from Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman, plus new swing tunes by Brian Setzer and Big Voodo Daddy. Bob Glenn will also sing a few tunes made popular by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Michael Buble. Some of Russ Peterson’s favorite charts are: “Meanwhile Back On the Bus”, “Brown’s Little Jug”, and “Misty”; all from the Les Brown library.