Join us for Big Band Brunch at the Ironwood Stage & Grill Saturday, Nov. 3.
Call to reserve your seat now: 403-269-5581
Guest vocalist Johanna Sillanpaa is joining us. Originally from Sweden, Johanna moved to Canada in her late teens and has since made Alberta her home and music her life. Her latest CD, FROM THIS SIDE, reached No. 1 on the Canadian jazz radio chart and she continues to make her mark on the international music scene.
Johanna Sillanpaa will be singing:
OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY, by George and Ira Gershwin
BEWITCHED by Rodgers and Hart
FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE
MOONDANCE
FEELING GOOD
and CAN’T BUY ME LOVE
Some of the band selections include:
CAUGHT SPEEDING as composed by Sammy Nestico who wrote hundreds of selections for Count Basie
MIRA, MIRA an amazing Latin chart as recorded by Maynard Ferguson and featuring Jazz Legend AL MUIRHEAD on Trumpet
DARK SIDE OF THE BLUES featuring JIM BRENAN on Alto, DAVE REID on Trombone and AL MUIRHEAD on Trumpet
a new selection to our library EARLY AUTUMN as recorded by Woody Herman
THE BEAT GOES ON as composed by Sonny Bono
the classic LIMEHOUSE BLUES
QUINTESSENCE as composed by Quincy Jones and featuring JIM BRENAN on Alto
and ROMPIN’ AT THE RENO as recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra
Call to reserve your seat 403-269-5581
The Ironwood Stage and Grill
1229 9th Ave. SE
Doors open at noon and concert is from 2 to 4 p.m.
June 26, 2018
by Sherri Comments Off on See You In September!
Prime Time Big Band is back Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 for Big Band Brunch at the Ironwood Stage & Grill.
We’re keeping busy this summer with special events, including performing at Black Tie & Blue Jeans 2018, a popular fundraiser for Dreams Take Flight Calgary.
Need a Prime Time Big Band CD to get you through the summer? Live at the Ironwoodis our latest recording and features original tunes and exciting arrangements of the classics you love… including our most requested encore: Sing, Sing, Sing. Available at Chronograph Records or in person at our shows.
See you in September! Sept. 22, that is!
June 18, 2018
by Sherri Comments Off on Season Finale: Prime Time Big Band Brunch Saturday, June 23, 2018
Matt Catingub joins Prime Time Big Band as special guest May 26, 2018. Tommy Ewasko photo
Prime Time Big Band is excited to announce the multi-talented Matt Catingub is joining Big Band Brunch as a special guest Saturday, May 26 at the historic Ironwood Stage and Grill.
Call 403-269-5581 today to save your seat at the Ironwood Stage & Grill.
Catingub is a saxophonist, woodwind artist, pianist, vocalist, conductor, composer and arranger. Matt is the Artistic Director and co-founder of the Macon Pops in Macon, Georgia, and recently the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Glendale Pops In Los Angeles, the Hawaii Pops in Honolulu, Hawaii, as well as the Festival Pops Conductor of the New Hampshire Music Festival. He has also held the Principal Pops Conductor positions of the Honolulu Symphony, the Hawaii Symphony, and the New Mexico Symphony.
Prime Time Big Band leader Dave Jones says having Catingub as a special guest is a true highlight, joining the remarkable roster of past guest performers – tenor sax legend Pete Christlieb, trumpeter Guido Basso, bandleader Doc Severinsen, trumpeters Allen Vizzutti and Jens Lindemann, saxophonist PJ Perry, and trombonist Al Kay.
“Of all the special guest performers we’ve had in the past joining us, Matt is perhaps one of the finest guest soloists we’ve ever had,” says Jones. “Matt is just a fabulous musician and showman. He is extremely versatile and a dynamite entertainer. He’ll have folks in the palm of his hand.”
Born to parents of Polynesian island descent, Catingub is the son of the great jazz vocalist Mavis Rivers. His career includes playing with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Sonny Stitt, Ruth Brown, and Kenny Burrel. Catingub joined the Louie Bellson Big Band and later formed the Matt Catingub Big Band, with Rivers as vocalist, and recorded several critically acclaimed jazz albums with his talented mother.
Catingub has guest conducted for some of the most significant symphony orchestras in the US, including the Nashville Symphony, the Saint Louis Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Symphonies of Columbus, Hartford, Omaha and throughout Canada and Japan. Catingub has conducted for artists such as Diana Krall, Yes, Al Jarreau, Gladys Knight, Kenny Rogers, and numerous others.
The well‐rounded musician wrote music and appeared on screen as band leader for the George Clooney film, Good Night and Good Luck, which was released on the Concord Records label in September 2005. Matt made an on‐screen appearance as the leader of the band, he created all of the arrangements and played tenor sax on the CD. The Soundtrack for Good Night and Good Luck won a Grammy Award in 2006.
What: Prime Time Big Band with special guest Matt Catingub
When: Saturday, May 26 2-4 p.m. (doors open at noon)
Where: Ironwood Stage and Grill (1229 9th Avenue S.E)
Tickets: $40 adults, $25 students available by calling (403) 269-5581
Prime Time Big Band is celebrating its 24th year and boasts the city’s most celebrated and respected jazz musicians led by Dave Jones. The band is one of Canada’s only regularly performing big bands and has called the Ironwood Stage and Grill home for the past 18 years, playing alternate Saturdays for the popular Big Band Brunch.
May 9, 2018
by Sherri Comments Off on Two Big Band Brunch concerts showcase big flavour: May 12 & May 26, 2018
Matt Catingub joins Prime Time Big Band as special guest May 26, 2018. Tommy Ewasko photo
With only four concerts remaining before summer break, Prime Time Big Band is packing a punch!
Join us for Big Band Brunch Saturday, May 12, and experience special guest Matt Catingub – composer, arranger, big band leader, saxophone virtuoso, vocalist, piano player, and award winner – on Saturday, May 26.
Call 403-269-5581 today to save your seat at the Ironwood Stage & Grill.
Some of the band features on May 12 include:
ANOTHER EXCUSE TO PLAY THE BLUES a great blues chart featuring a number of musicians
MAMBO CLIENTE as recorded by Arturo Sandoval and featuring the entire SAX section
IN MEMORY OF BIX as composed by Steve Allen, arranged and recorded by Tom Kubis and featuring AL MUIRHEAD on Trumpet
STOLEN MOMENTS as composed and recorded by Oliver Nelson
FANTASY recorded by Earth, Wind and Fire
GEORGIA ON MY MIND as recorded by The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and featuring PAT BELLIVEAU on Tenor
BLUE BOSSA a beautiful Latin chart featuring a number of musicians
A TIME FOR LOVE as recorded by The Stan Kenton Orchestra and featuring our Trombone Section
ON GREEN DOLPHIN STREET as recorded by The Les Hooper Big Band
MAGIC FLEA as composed by Sammy Nestico and featuring John Roggensack on Tenor
Our wonderful vocalist DEANNE MATLEY will be singing:
A WONDERFUL DAY LIKE TODAY
MISTY
BEI MIR BIST DU SCHON
AVALON as recorded by Natalie Cole
I’M GONNA LIVE TILL I DIE as recorded by Queen Latifah
Save your seat now by calling The Ironwood Stage and Grill (1229 9th AVE SE) 403 269 5581
Doors at noon and the concert is from 2-4 p.m.
April 23, 2018
by Sherri Comments Off on Brian Lynch joins Prime Time Big Band Saturday, April 28
Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Brian Lynch joins us this Saturday, April 28 for Big Band Brunch!
The world-class trumpter, composer and bandlander performed with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, The Horace Silver Quintet, many years with Phil Woods plus artists from Benny Golson to Prince. He has released 20 CDs and has performed on more than 200 other CDs. He was voted Trumpeter of the Year in 2017 by the Jazz Journalists’ Association. We are so lucky to have a special guest with us at no extra charge! Call to save your seat now: 403-269-5581.
Brian Lynch joins band leader Dave Jones and Prime Time Big Band for Saturday’s Big Band Brunch, featuring jazz tunes from 1940s to present.
Call to save your seat: 403-269-5581.
Some of the band selections include:
BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA as recorded by The Stan Kenton Orchestra
I’M GONNA TELL as composed by Steve Allen and recorded by The Tom Kubis Big Band
TRIBUTE TO BLUE as composed by Brian Lynch
TIGER OF SAN PEDRO as composed and recorded by John LaBarbera and featuring Brian Lynch
STRUTTIN’ WITH SOME BARBECUE as composed by Louis Armstrong
GUAJIRA DUBOIS composed by Brian Lynch and featuring Brian
SONG FOR BILBAO as composed by Pat Metheny and featuring Brian Lynch and our own Richard Harding on Alto
PUMPKINETTE as composed and recorded by Bob Florence
Our fantastic vocalist DEANNE MATLEY will be singing:
CHEEK TO CHEEK as recorded by Ella
SUMMERTIME from Porgy and Bess
SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE composed by Johnny Mercer
I LOVE BEING HERE WITH YOU and as recorded by Bette Midler
MISS OTIS REGRETS
Save your seat now by calling The Ironwood Stage and Grill (1229 9th AVE SE) 403 269 5581
Doors at noon and the concert is from 2-4 p.m.
April 16, 2018
by Sherri Comments Off on Big Band Brunch: Saturday, April 28, 2018
Join us for Big Band Brunch this Saturday, March 31. We’re playing some amazing tunes, including Oddball, a fabulous selection off our latest CD, Live at the Ironwood, composed by Fred Stride.
JACKSON COUNTY JUBILEE as recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra
BEGIN THE BEGUINE composed by Cole Porter and featuring JIM BRENAN on Tenor Sax
LONELY CAROUSEL as composed by Bob Florence and recorded on our first CD and featuring AL MUIRHEAD on Trumpet
DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE as recorded by the Oliver Nelson Orchestra and featuring JON DAY and AL MUIRHEAD on Trumpet
ODDBALL composed by Fred Stride and recorded on our newest CD, Live at the Ironwood
MARIE’S SHUFFLE as composed by LA musician Tom Kubis
SAMBA DEL GRINGO as composed and recorded by Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band
MISS MISSOURI as composed by Benny Carter and recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra
FUNUPSMANSHIP as composed and recorded by Bob Florence
Our superb vocalist DEANNE MATLEY will be singing:
GET HAPPY as recorded by Helen O’Connell
CHARMED LIFE as recorded by Diana Krall
OUT OF NOWHERE from the movie Dude Ranch
IT’S ONLY A PAPER MOON
and an unbelievable arrangement of BLUESETTE
Save your seat for Saturday’s Big Band Brunch today: 403-269-5581.
Doors at the Ironwood Stage and Grill (1229 9th AVE SE) open at noon, and the show is 2-4 p.m.
March 13, 2018
by Sherri Comments Off on Big Band Brunch: Saturday, March 17
Love is in the air! Bring your Valentine to Big Band Brunch with Prime Time Big Band Saturday, Feb. 17.
Call now to reserve your seat now: 403-269-5581
Some of the band selections include:
BASIE – STRAIGHT AHEAD as recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra
LATINTENSITY a Hank Levy composition as recorded by The US ARMY FIELD BAND JAZZ AMBASSADORS
SADLY as composed by Don Sebesky from the 1999 Grammy Award Best Jazz Composition featuring RICHARD HARDING on ALTO SAX
THE ALBERTA SUITE ll – North On 93 from our latest CD recording and featuring AL MUIRHEAD on Trumpet and PAT BELLIVEAU on Tenor Sax
SUPERBONE MEETS THE BADMAN as recorded by Maynard Ferguson
READYMIX as recorded by The Buddy Rich Big Band and a brand new selection for the band
NO MORE BLUES as composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim
I CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU arranged by Quincy Jones, recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra and made famous by Ray Charles
SUGAR as recorded by The Bob Florence Big Band
Some of the selections that DEANNE MATLEY will be singing include:
THIS CAN’T BE LOVE by Rodgers and Hart
MY FUNNY VALENTINE
L-O-V-E as recorded by Natalie Cole
COME FLY WITH ME
CAN’T BUY ME LOVE by Lennon and McCartney
Join us for a spectacular afternoon of live big band jazz and brunch at The Ironwood Stage and Grill. Call to reserve your seat at 403-269-5581. Doors open at noon and the show is 2-4 p.m.
January 30, 2018
by Sherri Comments Off on Big Band Brunch: Saturday, Feb. 3
We have an absolutely amazing concert lined up for this coming Saturday afternoon so sure hope to pack the Ironwood once again.
Call now to reserve your seat: 403-269-5811.
Doors at The Ironwood open at noon, and the concert is from 2-4 p.m.
Some of the band selections include:
From our latest CD, Prime Time Big Band: Live at the Ironwood, which is doing extremely well in both Canada and the US, THE ALBERTA SUITE IV TURNING HOME as composed by Allan Gilliland.
BIG SWING FACE as recorded by The Buddy Rich Big Band
HIGHLAND CROSSING as composed and arranged by John La Barbera
OPALS as recorded by The Metropole Orchestra
BUT BEAUTIFUL as recorded by The Bill Holman Band and featuring PAT BELLIVEAU on Tenor
SQUIB CAKES recorded by Tower of Power
FAN IT, JANET as recorded by The Maynard Ferguson Band and featuring BRIAN WALLEY on Trombone and PAT BELLIVEAU on Tenor
SPAIN as composed by Chick Corea and recorded by The Bill Watrous and The Manhattan Wildlife Refuge Band
I’VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING as arranged by Patrick Williams and featuring DEREK STOLL on Piano
BLUE FIVE JIVE as recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra
Our superb vocalist DEANNE MATLEY will be singing:
720 IN THE BOOKS
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
COME RAIN OR COME SHINE
GOD BLESS THE CHILD
and a medley of YES SIR, THAT’S MY BABY and BYE BYE BLACKBIRD
Join us Saturday, Feb. 3! Call 403-269-5581 to save your seat!
January 22, 2018
by Sherri Comments Off on Prime Time Big Band Brunch Saturday, Feb. 3
Prime Time Big Band is BACK for 2018! This is a fantastic way to start the new year with big band jazz!
We can hardly wait to see our wonderful fans and friends Saturday, Jan. 20. Our new CD, Live at the Ironwood, is available at the show!
Some of the band selections include:
STRIKE UP THE BAND, as composed by George and Ira Gershwin and arranged by Sammy Nestico
THOMAS as composed by Sonny Rollins
BASICALLY BLUES as recorded by The Buddy Rich Big Band
BETTER GIT HIT IN YOUR SOUL as composed by Charles Mingus
SOUL VACCINATION recorded by Tower of Power
THE JOY OF COOKIN’ as recorded and composed by Sammy Nestico
MAMBO composed by Leonard Bernstein from West Side Story
NORWEGIAN WOOD as composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and recorded by The Buddy Rich Big Band
ROMPIN’ AT THE RENO as recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra
Some of the selections that our fabulous vocalist DEANNE MATLEY will be singing include:
THOU SWELL
THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA
I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU
I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
MR. ZOOT SUIT
As usual, it is highly recommended you call The Ironwood Stage and Grill soonest for reservations 403 269 5581 Doors open at noon and the concert is 2-4 p.m.
December 13, 2017
by Sherri Comments Off on New Year’s Big Band Brunch: Jan. 20, 2018
Our super exciting Christmas concerts are fast approaching and we are all so jazzed about these selections including some fantastic new arrangements for both the band and our wonderful vocalist DEANNE MATLEY.
Please call the Ironwood Stage and Grill 403 269 5581 as soon as possible to make reservations for Saturday, Dec. 2, Sunday, Dec. 3 or Saturday, Dec. 9 concerts. Doors open at noon and show is from 2-4 p.m.
Some of the band selections include:
JOY TO THE WORLD
ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY
GOOD SWING WENCESLAS
IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR
O COME O LITTLE TOWN
WE THREE KINGS
DECK THE HALLS
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
AWAY IN A MANGER
A JAZZ MUSICIANS CHRISTMAS
SILENT NIGHT
YO TANNENBAUM
Some of the selections that DEANNE MATLEY will be singing include:
WINTER WONDERLAND
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE
CHRISTMAS IS MY FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU
JINGLE BELLS
THE CHRISTMAS SONG
I’VE GOT MY LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM
WHITE CHRISTMAS
WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
LET IT SNOW ! LET IT SNOW ! LET IT SNOW !
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR’S EVE
SANTA BABY
Please call the Ironwood Stage and Grill 403 269 5581 as soon as possible to make reservations for Saturday, Dec. 2, Sunday, Dec. 3 or Saturday, Dec. 9 concerts. Doors open at noon and show is from 2-4 p.m.
November 17, 2017
by Sherri Comments Off on Big Band Brunch with Prime Time: Saturday, Nov. 18
Join us for some classic big band jazz this Saturday at the Ironwood Stage and Grill. Call to reserve your seat: 403-269-5581.
You’ll hear:
SWINGING FOR THE FENCES, as recorded by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
CARAVAN, composed by Duke Ellington, recorded by the Jim Widner Big Band and featuring RICHARD HARDING on Sax and John de Waal on Drums
THE VERY BEST OF TIMES, as composed and recorded by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and featuring ERIC FRIEDENBERG on Sax and SHANE STATZ on Bari.
BUGLE CALL RAG, as composed by Hubie Blake and recorded by Doc Severinsen and featuring Lead Trumpet JIM MURRAY and the Trumpet Section
IF I WERE A BELLSON, as composed by and recorded by Frank Mantooth and dedicated to the great drummer Louie Bellson and featuring John de Waal on Drums and Shane Statz on Bari
LIMEHOUSE BLUES featuring KEITH O’ROURKE on Tenor and TRICIA EDWARDS on Piano
YOURS OR MINE OR BLUES as composed by John La Barbera and featuring AL MUIRHEAD on Trumpet
MIRA , MIRA, a fantastic Latin selection featuring ANDRE WICKENHEISER on Trumpet
SEND IN THE CLOWNS as recorded by The Stan Kenton Orchestra and from our latest CD PRIME TIME!
Our wonderful vocalist DEANNE MATLEY will be singing:
I WON’T DANCE as recorded by ELLA
FASCINATIN’ RHYTHM also recorded by ELLA
A fantastic arrangement of THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
’S WONDERFUL a classic as composed by George and Ira Gershwin
and from our new CD IT DON’T MEAN A THING
This is the last regular concert prior to our fantastic Christmas jazz concerts Dec. 2, 3 and 9.
As usual , please call The Ironwood Stage and Grill 403 269 5581 to reserve your seats. Doors open at noon and the concert is from 2-4 p.m.
Our CD, Live at the Ironwood, is available for purchase during our show!
October 30, 2017
by Sherri Comments Off on Saturday, Nov. 4: Big Band Brunch!
You can hear new tunes from Prime Time Big Band’s recently released CD, Live at the Ironwood this Saturday, Nov. 4.
Big Band Brunch features brilliant soloists and some fantastic arrangements, including originals such as Lado a Lado, composed for Prime Time Big Band by Vancouver musician Fred Stride. Seats can be reserved at The Ironwood Stage and Grill by calling 403 269 5581.
Saturday’s concert also features a tribute to Remembrance Day with A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square featuring Greg Robertson on bass trombone, and Al Muirhead and Andre Wickenheiser on trumpet.
Other tunes lined up for Saturday’s show are:
Machine, as recorded by the Buddy Rich Big Band featuring Mike Gardner on Tenor
Blue Samuel as composed by Sammy Nestico and recorded by The SWR Big Band and featuring Derek Stoll on Piano , Eric Friedenberg on Alto, Pat Belliveau on Tenor and Brian Walley on Trombone
Nutville, as composed by Horace Silver and recorded by The Buddy Rich Big Band on Roar of 74 Album
Hunting Wabbits as composed and recorded by Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band and featuring Brian Walley on Trombone and Pat Belliveau an Tenor
Tangerine, one of the most beautiful arrangements of this classic by Sammy Nestico
Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Year, as arranged by Patrick Williams and featuring Greg Robertson on Bass Trombone
Our superb Vocalist DEANNE MATLEY will be singing:
A Foggy Day in London Town, another tribute to Remembrance Day and a fantastic arrangement of this beautiful selection
Someone to Watch Over Me as composed by George and Ira Gershwin
What is This Thing Called Love as composed by Cole Porter and recorded by Ella Fitzgerald
Mack the Knife, a fantastic hard swinging arrangement of this classic
Jumpin’ East of Java, as recorded by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Seats can be reserved at The Ironwood Stage and Grill by calling 403 269 5581. Doors open at noon and the concert is from 2 to 4 p.m.
October 12, 2017
by Sherri Comments Off on Prime Time Big Band: Live at the Ironwood CD is here!
Recorded in front of a live audience inside the historic Ironwood Stage and Grill, the big band jazz CD features classic tunes as well as music from two of Canada’s most noteworthy composers. JUNO-nominated producer Kodi Hutchinson – award-winning jazz bassist, CKUA radio host and creative force behind Chronograph Records and JazzYYC, is the album’s producer. Paul Johnston lends his talent as engineer.
Fans can attend the CD launch party featuring a live performance of the tunes Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017.
Prime Time Big Band is celebrating its 22nd year and boasts the city’s most celebrated and respected jazz musicians led by Dave Jones. The band is one of Canada’s only regularly performing big bands and has called the Ironwood Stage and Grill home for the past 17 years, playing alternate Saturdays for the wildly popular Big Band Brunch.
Band director Dave Jones says the time is right for a live recording. With its top-tier performers, Prime Time is definitely in its prime.
“There hasn’t been a live record from a big band in forever,” said Jones. “We’re raising our own personal bar with this one.”
“Live at the Ironwood is just that – a special live album that showcases the energy of the band. Live recordings of big bands in the modern day are so rare, and this album certainly stands out as unique.”
Recording a 20-member ensemble, including vocalist Deanne Matley, would be challenging enough in a studio setting. But recording live off the floor in a historic 150-seat club? It’s a daunting task not for the faint of heart.
“It’s definitely a higher rung on the ladder. Bands need musical goals, and recording preserves their performance when they’re at the top of their game,” said Jones.
The CD features all original arrangements which have never before been recorded. The band enlisted two of Western Canada’s most famous composers and arrangers to contribute to Live at the Ironwood.
Commissions from Fred Stride and Allan Gilliland will make this recording truly noteworthy and distinctly Canadian.
Vancouver’s Stride penned Prime Time and Lado a Lado (Side by Side). Stride wrote selections for the Juno Award-winning Tommy Banks at The Montreaux Jazz Festival.
Alberta-based Gilliland’s four-part The Alberta Suite was composed and arranged for the band.
And not forgotten is the band’s signature encore swing tune, Sing, Sing, Sing. Jones says he’s more than pleased to include the fan favourite, only better: the song is arranged by Gilliland.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be working on an updated version from Allan. We’ve tried different versions and I even tried changing the encore to give the musicians a change, but people demanded it; they phoned me saying, ‘it leaves us happy and bouncing out of the club.’ How can you argue with that?”
