The Big Band Jazz Season

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Gary Farr & All Star Big Band

Pianist, composer, producer, conductor, arranger and founder of Secret Formula Records, GF Creative Music, and his All Star Big Band. Gary studied classical applied piano in college with guest professor Eugene Bosart at Barry University before switching his major to composition at USF. His exposure and love for jazz along with composing was his real passion. He also studied advanced orchestral and choral conducting and arranging. Turning professional at the young age of 20, he went right to work as musical director and arranger for several singers before forming his own bands. In 1999 he recorded and released his first two CD’s on SFR label. The Gentle Awakening, a new age CD and Lost, the first jazz CD that put him on the map as a recording artist. Gary and his jazz quintet debuted the Lost CD at Sunfest in Palm Beach Florida on May 1, 1999. The original jazz band started recording Deep as the Night in 1995. One of Gary’s latest projects as producer and musician is Ron Fattorusso’s successful smooth jazz CD, Up All Night released in 2004. They will be releasing Ron’s new smooth jazz CD in 2012. Fresh Brew was released in November 2004 and Movin’ Thru LA was released in April 2007. Gary released a solo piano romantic CD in Feb. 2009 titled Romance, Piano & Love. His latest release is a compilation with Ron Fattorusso of sexy love songs titled Sexy Sensuous Sounds. Gary is creator and host of the several radio channels for Sky.fm and jazzradio.com radio. Among the channels are the successful Solo Piano, Piano Jazz (2), Beatles Tribute, American Songbook and Sinatra Style.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Bill Allred Band

Bill Allred, born near the Mississippi River in the town of Rock Island, developed his artistry playin trombone at Rock Island High School, in the U.S.Navy Band and at St. Ambrose College. In 1971, Bill auditioned for the position of staff musician at the new Walt Disney World attraction in Orlando, Florida. He was chosen as one of the original 200 staff musicians from over 2500 auditioned. In 1974, Bill's next stop was at Rosie O'Grady's in Orlando, Florida where he organized the Goodtime Jazz Band and produced the world-famous Goodtime Show. Bill Allred remained at Rosie O'Grady's for over 15 years serving as Entertainment Director and Band Leader. Bill's production efforts have been rewarded by many accolades, among them, the coveted Carbonel award given by Florida Entertainment writers for excellence in show production. In 1991 Bill accepted an offer to return to Walt Disney World as a staff musician. In addition to Disney, he continues to head up his own entertainment production company in Orlando and is involved in many musical activities. With all of these activities, Bill still finds time to broaden his musical scope by traveling, performing and recording throughout the US and in Europe. His jazz performances have taken him to the major jazz festivals and concerts in the United States and abroad. Bill has appeared in concerts with Jack Teagarden, Billy Butterfield, Al Hirt, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, Al Cohen, Zoot Sims, Snooky Young, Ross Tomkins, Bob Cooper, Milt Hinton, Bob Haggart, Butch Miles, Tom Saunders, Chuck Hedges, and countless other jazz personalities from all over the world. For some years, Bill was a member of the Wild Bill Davison Jazz Band, traveling to Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, England, South America and at many other festivals and concerts worldwide.

Tuesday, March 15, 2014
David Gibble & The Tuesday Nite Band

Teacher at Palm Beach State College since the fall of 1995 and in his role as Associate Professor of Instrumental Music he directs the Concert Band, Tuesday Nite Big Band, 12 O¹clock Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos and Brass Ensemble. He also has performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Jaco Pastorius Big Band and the Capitol Bones Big Band. In the classical vein, Mr. Gibble continues to play with the Brass Renaissance quintet as principal trumpet and has also appeared with the South Florida Wind Symphony and Palm Beach Opera Orchestra. Prior to his arrival in Florida, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Chester University (Pa.) with a B.S. in Music Education. After graduation, he taught instrumental music in the Eastern York School District in Pennsylvania to a variety of grade levels for eight years before returning to school to receive his M.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas where he played with the world-renowned One O’clock Lab Band.