| MATT ARNOTT |
Strathclyde university big band //
The Strathclyde University Big Band is one of only a few long-standing University-based Big Bands in Britain. It has established a reputation for developing young talent and playing varied, interesting and challenging music.
Since its formation in 1978, dozens of musicians have passed through its ranks. The members of the band are mostly students, ex-students or staff of the university, augmented by a few enthusiastic friends from outwith the University.
The band’s extensive repertoire is jazz-orientated and includes, for example, arrangements of jazz standards by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, Benny Golson, Joe Zawinul, Oliver Nelson, Pat Metheny, Chuck Mangione, Clifford Brown, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Kenny Dorham, Duke Ellington, Ray Bryant, Jaco Pastorius and Herbie Hancock, and charts from the repertoires of The Boss Brass, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Bob Mintzer, Thad Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Gil Evans, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Shorty Rogers.
At full strength the band is 21 players strong plus the director, Gerry Rossi. The band has always included some strong soloists. For example, alumni include Tom MacNiven (1997 Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year), Paul Towndrow, Konrad Wiszniewski, Alyn Cosker, Graeme Scott, Brian Molley, Raymond MacDonald, Aidan O’Donnell and Robert Henderson.
Since its formation in 1978, dozens of musicians have passed through its ranks. The members of the band are mostly students, ex-students or staff of the university, augmented by a few enthusiastic friends from outwith the University.
The band’s extensive repertoire is jazz-orientated and includes, for example, arrangements of jazz standards by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, Benny Golson, Joe Zawinul, Oliver Nelson, Pat Metheny, Chuck Mangione, Clifford Brown, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Kenny Dorham, Duke Ellington, Ray Bryant, Jaco Pastorius and Herbie Hancock, and charts from the repertoires of The Boss Brass, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Bob Mintzer, Thad Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Gil Evans, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Shorty Rogers.
At full strength the band is 21 players strong plus the director, Gerry Rossi. The band has always included some strong soloists. For example, alumni include Tom MacNiven (1997 Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year), Paul Towndrow, Konrad Wiszniewski, Alyn Cosker, Graeme Scott, Brian Molley, Raymond MacDonald, Aidan O’Donnell and Robert Henderson.