When Paul Marshall came to teach woodwind at NECOM four years ago, the multi-instrumentalist missed jazz.
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This Saturday, the Armidale public can hear the debut performance of his New England Big Band, featuring local teachers and commercial musicians.
This will be the first time in living memory a big band of top musicians has performed in Armidale, NECOM CEO Susanne James said.
The performance, Mr Marshall said, will have a different vibe from Armidale's normal concerts: "Lots of noise, but lots of fun and energy!"
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The concert includes traditional big band music from the 1930s and 1940s - standards like 'Night in Tunisia', 'Summertime', and 'Fly Me to the Moon' - and modern soundtracks like Michael Giacchino's Incredibles.
Bekk Baumgartner will play saxophone and sing. The audience can enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail while listening to an evening of high quality, high energy music.
"A lot of people haven't actually ever heard a proper big band these days," Ms James said. "We hope that this will help start up a new jazz big band craze in Armidale."
Later this month, the legendary New England Ensemble will return for a concert at the Town Hall presented by Musica Viva Armidale and NECOM.
The quartet were musicians in residence at the University of New England from 1975 to 1982 - and one of the most highly respected chamber ensembles in Australia.
Musica Viva, the national chamber music company, toured them to Asia, America, and England, and across Europe.
"They were outstanding musicians: incredibly loved and respected by the town," Ms James said. "I think that they will be welcomed with by so many people who know and remember them."
The concert includes Mozart's Piano Quartet in G minor, Johan Svendsen's Romance in G major, Brahms's Hungarian Dance No 2 in D minor, Ernest Bloch's Jewish Song, Rebecca Clarke's Chinese Puzzle, the intermezzo from Granados's Goyescas piano suite, and Gaspar Cassado's Requiebros. The evening ends with Brahms's Piano Quartet in C minor.
Ms James hopes these concerts will give audiences a couple of hours of enjoyable, relaxing music.
"It will be a lovely little opportunity to leave behind the worries of being confronted by bushfire smoke, and have evenings that are joyful," Ms James said.
The New England Big Band will perform at NECOM, Armidale Teachers' College, on Saturday, November 16, at 6.30pm. Tickets: www.trybooking.com/BGIBU or at the door; $20 adults, $10 concession.
The New England Ensemble will perform at the Armidale Town Hall on Sunday, November 24, at 3pm. Tickets: www.trybooking.com/zosn.