"Recreating the original arrangements of the great names in Big Band music" is the crystallizing idea around which The John Trapani Big Band has built and sustained its reputation. People love Big Band music, and they love to hear their cherished favorites performed the way that the were made famous. From Glenn Miller, Harry James, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, and Stan Kenton ... not to mention the Big Band royalty of the King (of Swing, Benny Goodman), the Count (Basie) and the Duke (Ellington) ... The John Trapani Big Band provides welcomed nostalgia as it performs the famous Big Band classics.
Directed by Dr. John G. Trapani, Jr., a Philosophy Professor and Chair of the Humanities Division at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, the 17-piece Big Band began in April of 1977. Today, the band's repertoire of the original arrangements of Big Band classics has grown to over 350 titles. While bandleader Trapani plays the trumpet hits of Harry James, Bunny Berigan, and Ray Anthony, other soloists and vocalists in the band perform many of the original solos and vocal stylings of other great-name bandleaders and famous vocalists.
For twenty years (1981-2000), John and his band performed an annual "Glenn Miller Tribute" Concert. Each December, the band continues its tradition (since 1989) of performing its "Big Band Christmas Magic" Show. From concerts and periodic dances, to benefit and outdoor summer concerts and private bookings, the band maintains an active performance schedule.
High points in the band's 30 year career include its 1987 concert with Connie Haines, original vocalist with Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey, and its 1990 TV-special, "In The Mood," taped by WEAO/WNEO for viewing throughout northeast Ohio. In 2000, The John Trapani Big Band made a live recording of its 20th annual "Glenn Miller Tribute" Concert, released a CD titled "Thanks For The Memories." In April of 2005 and again in October of 2006, the band performed a live show with the Canton Ballet, "CB Swings."
email: john "at" johntrapanibigband.com