Wheaton Municipal Band swings with the sounds of big band jazz on Thursday August 2 in Memorial Park

The Wheaton Municipal Band swings with the sounds of big band jazz under the direction of Elmhurst College Professor Doug Beach on Thursday, August 2 at 8 PM in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton. The evening’s concert features selected members of the Wheaton Municipal Band along with local jazz greats including Frank Caruso on piano, Kirk Garrison on trumpet, Mark Colby on Tenor Sax, Bob Rummage on Drums, Dan Parker on Bass and Bethany Bredehoft on vocals.  

The program contains a mix of exciting jazz originals and standards. Mark Colby’s original tune Riley’s Thang opens the show, followed by favorites Blue Bossa, In A Sentimental Mood, The Man I Love, In the Mood, Honeysuckle Rose and How High the Moon.  Plus there’s plenty more.

Doug Beach, the maestro for the evening, has served on the faculty at Elmhurst College since 1978 where he directs the acclaimed Elmhurst College Jazz Band and the jazz studies program.  Beach is well known for his work as a publisher and composer.   One of the world’s leading publishers of educational jazz music, he has won 15 awards for composition from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.  In 1996, the Count Basie Orchestra and New York Voices recorded his arrangement of “Cottontail” that went on to win the Grammy for best large jazz ensemble.

Looking ahead, the full Wheaton Municipal Band returns to Memorial Park for its final outdoor performance of the season on Thursday, August 9 at 8 PM. The crowd-pleasing program will include many audience requests.

The summer concert season ends on Saturday August 11 at 8 PM at Edman Chapel on the Wheaton College campus with a special indoor performance featuring euphonium virtuoso Dr. Benjamin Pierce.  As the winner of many international tuba and euphonium artist competitions held in the United States, Japan, Germany, Finland, South Korea, England, and Italy, Pierce has clearly established himself as one of the world’s finest euphonium players.  Whether performing a beautiful melody, or showcasing a dazzling display of technique, this is a performer who will leave you spellbound!