This weekend, Central Oregon jazz enthusiasts attended an ensemble of the region’s finest musicians from Big Band Jazz Band of Central Oregon Community College. The band played throughout the weekend on Friday, March 3. and Sunday March 5. Big Band Jazz is dedicated to bringing classic and modern jazz music to audiences.

On Sunday at 2 p.m., Big Band Jazz performed at Caldera High School Theatre with vocals featured by Michelle Van Handel. Handel spent a few years directing the vocal jazz ensembles at the University of Oregon and won the Oregon Jazz Society’s scholarship for Outstanding New Jazz Vocalist. The songs featured Jazz classics by Horace Silver, “Filthy McNasty,” also Mueva Los Huesos, translating to “Shake your bones.”

Sponsored by COCC, their website states that Big Band Jazz has been a part of the Central Oregon jazz scene for over 30 years. Big Band Jazz welcomes donations, while continuing to raise money to help support concert productions costs including guest artists, sheet music and venue rentals.

You can find Big Band Jazz upcoming concerts here. And to find out more on vocalist Michelle Van Handel, you can visit her website here. 

Serena  Zohbe Garcia

Reporter

Serena Zohbe Garcia is a reporter for The Broadside. She works part-time at The Redmond Spokesman as an intern. Zohbe Garcia has a passion for media and sharing people’s stories. In her spare time, Zohbe Garcia enjoys hitting the trails with her pup, watching films and traveling. She hopes to learn more about different cultures through her career and travel.