In 1990, Bob Curnow decided to create a jazz ensemble
dedicated to the performance of classic big band music. The New Jazz Repertory
Ensemble did its first performance at Spokane Falls Community College and has
never looked back. A few years later, Bob was encouraged to change the name of
the band to the Bob Curnow Big Band. That name has seemed to draw many more
people to performances, perhaps due to Bob's highly successful recording of his
arrangements of the music of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays in 1994 (with his L.A.
Big Band) and the stunning CD recorded with the SWR Big Band of Stuttgart,
Germany, exclusively featuring Bob's arrangements and compositions.
This band has existed now for 20 years, and it has never
been better. The skill and creativity of the band members is extraordinary,
resulting in performances of the highest caliber, while building a large,
supportive and very loyal audience. Most of the members of the band are not
only superb performers but dedicated music educators. It doesn't matter if its
the music of Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Buddy Rich or the more contemporary
sounds of Pat Metheny and Bob's own original compositions and arrangements, the
band rocks and, above all, it swings.
Every year the band records all of the new jazz band
music published by Sierra Music Publications, Inc., one of the largest jazz band
publishers in the world. The company is located in Liberty Lake, WA. The band
has also performed at many jazz festivals in the area and regularly shares its
stage at the Ichiban Sushi Lounge in Spokane with many of the outstanding school
(middle school, high school and university) jazz ensembles in the region. This
comittment to jazz education and the support of jazz in the Northwest is
paramount to the existence of the Bob Curnow Big Band. The Ichiban performances
happen almost every other Monday night and have for the past couple of years.
For current information on these and other performances, or for booking
information, please send an email to themccann3@comcast.net or call 509-280-5313.