Whitney Smith Big Steam Band @ The Monarch Tavern, June 22 at Monarch Tavern – Toronto, Canada

Whitney Smith Big Steam Band @ The Monarch Tavern

Dear music lover. Our band is a roaring 17-piece classic jazz orchestra in the style of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie bands — 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxes and four rhythm: piano, guitar, double bass and drums, with vocals by John Amato. When I say ‘roaring’ I mean we are in no way a tame or quiet ensemble (except for the gorgeous ballads). That said, we play acoustic unamplified instruments except for the amps that allow the bass and guitar to be heard above the horns and drums.

The sound is classic swing, jazz and Latin with bite. Our roots music is 50s and early 60s hard bop and burner swing in the punchy gorgeous style of big band arranging of Billy May, Nelson Riddle and Quincy Jones. We play compositions of mine, vocals and instrumentals, and arrangments of great standards from the jazz repertoire beautifully crafted by Head Arranger Jim McGrath and other band members.

And dancing for those who love to dance.

Our two albums, ‘Swing’s Mistress’ and ‘Life Drawing’ are on Spotify, Apple Music and other platforms under Whitney Smith Big Steam Band. Come join us for a thrilling evening of powerhouse big band jazz with a modern edge. — Whitney Smith

WHITNEY SMITH BIG STEAM BAND

TRUMPETS: Sandy Barter (tpt1), Megan Jutting-Plumbley (tpt2), Jim McGrath (tpt3), Paul Callander (tpt4).

TROMBONES: Paul Tarussov (tb1), Jamie Stager (tb2), Gord Meyers (tb3), Peter Hysen (bass tb).

WOODWINDS: Matt Woroshyl (alt1), Abigail Neale (alt2), Patrick Smith (tn1), Scott Marshall (tn2), Simon Wallis (bari).

RHYTHM: Emmett Hodgins (p), Whitney Smith (g), Jonathan Meyer (b), Joel Haynes (d).

VOCALIST: John Amato.

ARRANGEMENTS: Jim McGrath.