THE EMBER BIG BAND: THE STORY

the Ember Big Band first embarked on their musical voyage of discovery together as a cohesive Big Band in 2010.  Under the guidance of the legendary trombonist and arranger, Bill Geldard, they have developed their sound and command of an extensive repertoire.  With a full line up of community minded musicians and vocalists, they have performed across the borough of Elmbridge, and wider afield, raising money for some amazing charity projects.  For more information or want to get involved, please get in touch.

LOOKING FOR TRUMPET PLAYERS !

With the natural rhythm of life, a number of our trumpet players have grown up or moved home and so we are looking to add new members to our Trumpet section.  

If you are a developing or accomplished trumpet player, with a love for big band music, young or old we'd love to hear from you, particularly as we start to look forward to band life after lockdown. 

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LIVE (AND KICKING) AFTER LOCKDOWN !

So, with restrictions hopefully relaxing from June 21st, we're starting to contemplate who we get back on it.  We're hoping we can get back to the Albion for Monday 5th July (fingers crossed) and are in liaison with our "local" pub with a garden to see if we can play at one of their fabulous BBQ lunches.  And later in the year, we've already pencilled in our charity fund raiser on 27th November, with some really exciting special guests.   

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If you are organising an event this summer and outside and would like a big band sound we're really up for it .. so please do get in touch.

LOCKDOWN 3.0

So, through this and the last lockdown, we've kept in touch and rehearsed together over ZOOM.  We've also been joined by some amazing special guests including Louise Marshall, Simon May, Laurie Holloway, Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams.  It's been really inspiring to get their thoughts and ideas, recollections and stories and also to stay connected as a band through this last year.

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We've also, with some our more technical members, got the whole band live on the Internet playing in real time using the power of Jamulus software and the AWS cloud.  It has added a whole new dimension to play together whilst being apart.  Please do get in touch and we can share how we got it working for our band.

GIGS WE LOVE

We're not an events band ... so what sort of gigs do we love playing ... to be honest any, but here are a few that stand out for us... 

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Our charity concerts at the Hammond Theatre in aid of both the Shooting Star and the Princess Alice Hospice charities

The evenings at the Walton Beer Festival

Al-fresco at Marney's Village Inn

Our monthly Monday slot at the Albion

Our annual Christmas concert at Claygate Village Hall

the intimate Barn theatre in Molesey

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OUR REPERTOIRE

just some of the tunes we love

timeless

CLASSIC SWING

Little Brown Jug
Sing Sing Sing
Tuxedo Junction
In The Mood
Pennsylvania 65000
Beyond The Sea
Come Fly With Me
Flight of the Foo Bird 
Shiny Stockings
Cute

funky

UPBEAT GROOVES

Sax To The Max
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Mambo
Carwash
Birdland
Route 66
Green Onions

soulful

SLOW BALLADS

Alfie
Lil' Darlin
Moon River
My Funny Valentine
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Summertime 
Feeling Good
Cry Me A River

dreamy

LUSH VOCALS

The Lady Is A Tramp

Mack The Knife
The Summer Wind

The Look of Love

Why Don't You Do Right

Fever

At Last

What Is This Thing Called Love

foot tapping

CROWD PLEASERS

In The Midnight Hour

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

New York New York

Everything

Haven't Met You Yet

Blue Suede Shoes

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driving

LATIN

Sway
Save The Last Dance For Me

Chili Pepper 101

Livin La Vida Loca

Mas Que Nada

Girl From Ipanema
Peanut Vendor