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Just when everyone thinks summer is over, the Canadian Big Band Celebration (CBBC) kicks into high gear in September to begin Fall with a big band extravaganza.
If there is any doubt that people want to listen and dance to the sounds of live music, the Canadian Big Band weekend dispels any of those doubts. Visitors come from far and wide to ‘trip the light fantastic’.
In September, the entire community of Saugeen Shores comes alive with music of every genre for every musical taste … jazz, blues, rock and, of course, the big band sound of bygone eras where people take to the dance floor.
The 2024 September weekend, that has become renown with musicians coming from across Canada and the U.S. to take part, kicked off with a Friday feast of musical genres at many venues throughout Port Elgin and Southampton.
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One of the highlights on Friday (Sept. 13), in conjunction with the first Canadian Senior Men’s Golf Championship, was the Canadian Big Band night held at Saugeen Golf and Country Club.
Golfers and spouses who attended the Championship, enjoyed the treat of the Big Band sound. “This is incredible,” said the wife of one of the golfers. “We never expected anything like this – it’s fantastic!”
Following the traditional Friday jazz night, the music continued at the Lakeshore Recreation Centre in Port Elgin on Saturday with the ever-popular Lulu’s band in the afternoon.
Lulu’s a long time staple of the summer entertainment backed by The Men in Black Brassline
Then into the night the award-winning Saugeen District Senior School (SDSS) Royals band, under the direction of teacher Kerri-Lynne Boys, was the opening act for the Stardust Big Band.
Charles (Charlie) Bell, who launched the Stardust Big Band with nine members in Walkerton in 1986 when he was the Bruce County Board of Education’s Music Coordinator, and who is CBBC weekend founder, says, “I think big band music in this day and age is still in great shape. It comes from a time when music was cherished, the words in beautiful vocals and beautiful melodies. New generations are now revisiting this music today.”
Guest trumpet musician, Shelby Morris
Thanks to teacher Boys, the young musicians of SDSS are learning to play the music from eras that include those of their grandparents and great-grandparents … tunes by Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey and others of the big band era.
Many of her students have, in fact, gone on to universities to major in music.
Saugeen Golf and Country Club
Sarah and Adam on the Bruce Power stage
Sofa Kings at Saugeen Golf course
“It’s always an exciting time of year,” says Bell. “While it’s a lot of work and logistics, it always comes together at the end for both the musicians and the visitors. I know people who make the Big Band Celebration an annual vacation destination and who have been coming now for many years.”
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