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Big Band Battle, September 19  Share
A Big Band Battle on the stage at Beecher Community Hall on September 19 will be a throwback to the 1930s, with music that will make you want to get up and dance. The event will pit Shout Section Big Band from Chicago against GRT Big Band of Kankakee. Both bands will appear onstage together from 7 to 11 p.m. The ballroom dance floor will be open all night, according to event Chairman Brett Dean. Guests can expect the bands to show their skills in the competition, Dean noted, but the night really is more about the love of great music and dancing. ''I started thinking about an event like this when I heard about the famous Chick Webb big band battles that took place in the 1930s,'' Dean said.
''Chick Webb was a drummer with an outstanding band. He would invite other groups to play concerts with his band and would challenge them to 'battles' for crowd approval. ''Dancers would flock to hear two famous bands performing on one stage. Unbelievably, Chick Webb never lost a battle! He outplayed many other famous bands, including Benny Goodman. The Count Basie Orchestra challenged him and finally broke his winning record; the two bands tied,'' Dean reported. ''I recently heard (musician) Wynton Marsalis say on the radio that today, we've evolved past the point of total competition. I agree. As Wynton said, we're just happy that there are the other bands out there. Now, it's less of a competition and more of an exchange of ideas and music. ''Of course, I suspect there will be a little bit of musical competition, but we're mainly excited to hear the great tunes that each band has picked for the show,'' Dean continued. ''Another thing that got us thinking about an event like this was performing for and witnessing the great dancers in the Chicago area. Big band music started many years ago as incredibly invigorating dance music. Today, the excitement from a live band is still something that can bring dancers to their feet. ''We know there are several venues around Chicagoland that cater to dancers and have a space big enough for such an event, but we thought it would be great to use the Beecher Community Hall for a dance once again. Dancers of all skill levels are invited to put on their dancing shoes and give it try! Or, just come and listen to the bands. ''What we want people to know about the event is that you are going to have an incredible time. We have a stage full of talented musicians and singers. It doesn't matter what your prior exposure to big band music and swing dancing is, you will love the electricity generated by this event! Everyone is encouraged to come and it doesn't hurt to bring a dancing partner,'' Dean proposed. Dean and a group of his friends formed Shout Section Big Band about two years ago ''as a place for young professional jazz musicians, teachers and a few jazz veterans to rediscover the roots of big band swing music. ''Over the last two years, we've played all around Chicagoland and are really enjoying exploring retro and modern big band music,'' he continued. ''I have really come to appreciate that we live in a time where there is a great amount of musical diversity. Most people have an eclectic taste and enjoy many styles of music. At our concerts, I've noticed that people really enjoy and get into the music; however, jazz today has developed a little bit of a perceived learning curve. We're trying to break down those barriers and bring back the sheer excitement of the music, first and foremost.'' For the uninitiated, big bands are very versatile, each with a rhythm section. Modern rock groups, Dean explained, evolved from the rhythm section which is a bass guitar, piano, drums and rhythm guitar. In addition, each group includes one of those famously large ''brass'' sections with trumpets, trombones and saxophones. Big Bands are able to perform many styles of music, he emphasized, and while swing is the most common, any style is fair game. ''For example in Shout Section, we do predominately play swing, but we also have Beatles music, funk and modern classics like 'Life is a Highway'! ''We look forward to playing this great music for you!'' For Dean, leader of Shout Section, challenging Kankakee's GRT Big Band is something of a ''Sentimental Journey.'' GRT Big Band's Rod Williams was Dean's trumpet teacher in high school. Williams now teaches in the Bradley-Bourbonnais area. Tickets for the September 19 ''battle'' at the Beecher Community Hall will be available at the door. General admission is $12 per person with a special rate for students and senior citizens. Seating and viewing area will be available. Refreshments will be served. Doors open early and high school and college students are encouraged to come early, Dean said. Galaxie Dance Studio will offer professional dance lessons at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the hall that day. Lessons are $20 each session. Participants should bring a dance partner, if possible. More information about the event is available at www.shoutsection.com. Karen Haave is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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