Playing every monday night

At The Eagle, 52 Tamworth Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1XW

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THE VERY BEST IN CONTEMPORARY BIG BAND JAZZ

Big band jazz is a curious art form, relying on apparently opposing ideas of individualism and teamwork. It is here many bands fail by assembling a vast arsenal of all-star soloists and the team spirit can be undermined by strong differences of musical opinion on the bandstand. On occasions, the band can be so tightly drilled that its precision can be likened to that of a military ensemble and the crucial elements of swing and spontaneity are lost. A successful big band, therefore, is one which treads the fine line between these two poles with the result that the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.

Enter here The Big Beer Band.

There is no shortage of jazz talent within its ranks Ñ many of the players have been written up in the press as being the stars of their particular instruments. The crucial difference is that in one form or another they have been playing together for more than 15 years.

Over this time the band has developed a uniquely relaxed style, becoming a social as well as musical institution for its members. It is easy to see that a band which enjoys itself offstage will make its audiences enjoy it onstage.

Whether playing a Count Basie-style swing number or the latest arrangement from the US, the infectious beat and pervasive good feeling will delight any audience.

As BB King once said: "If this don't turn you on, you ain't got switches."

From playing in various jazz festivals and venues, the Big Beer Band has acquired a large library of original contemporary big band music and its high standard has taken the players to cities around the world including Rome, Los Angeles, Paris and Stockholm, combining top class musicianship with an exciting and entertaining performance.