The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra

Chicago, IL

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Travels up to 200 miles

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Gallery photo 1 of The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra

The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra

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The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra at The Willowbrook Ballroom

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Mariachi a la Ron Smolen Orch

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Crystal Theater- Crystal Falls, Michigan

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The Ron Smolen Orchestra

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44 Ward Picnic with the Ron Smolen Orchestra

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Willowbrook Ballroom

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Halloween... Ron Smolen Orch

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RSO Combo

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RSO Polka Band and / or Oktoberfest Band

Overview

The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra

The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra is a 10 piece Dance Orchestra that provides the best Big Band entertainment and dance music available.

“ Every Night Is New Years Eve “ as The Ron Smolen Orchestra creates a fun party atmosphere along with a “ Touch of Elegance “ by providing listening and dancing enjoyment for all ages in the great tradition of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Wayne King and Guy Lombardo.


Reviews

1 review

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Julie C.

Julie C.

March 12, 2012

Nostalgia and Great Music you can dance to.

I have known Mr. Smolen for well over 15 years. I have taken bus tours of dancers to numerous Midwest Ballrooms and Casinos just to dance to his music. There are many Big Band that perform Big Band music, but the Smolen Orchestra plays Big Band music "with a beat you can dance to." His program have always been entertaining and directed to the people in attendance.

Our New dance club has Dinner Dances that attracts people of all ages including some that actually danced at the Aragon Ballroom. We also attract many young professionals that are learning the fine art of Ballroom Dancing.

While Mr Smolens orchestra plays all the classics of the Big Band Era including In the Mood, he does not forget the young people in attendance and performs many pop standards in Ballroom tempos for them. We also hire the Smolen Orchestra for our dinner dances because you can eat dinner and still have a conversation at the same time.

Oh yes..I almost forgot... Plus we can dance !

Hired as: 1930s Era Entertainment, 1940s Era Entertainment, Big Band, Jazz Band, Swing Band

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Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

Languages: English

Unions: AMU American Musicians Union

What to expect

" The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra " is a TEN (10 piece) Big Band that provides the best in " Big Band Entertainment " and Dance Music.

“ Every Night is New Year's Eve “ as The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra creates a party atmosphere with a “ Touch of Elegance “ by performing music for Dancing and Listening for ALL ages.

The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra presents a " Unique and Inimitable Style " they call their own as they combine classic 1940's arrangements once performed by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Guy Lombardo combined with their own "NEW" Specialized Arrangements. They then add a special " CHICAGO " touch by performing actual " Authentic " Dance Band Arrangements that were originally performed for dancing at Chicago's Historic... " Aragon " - " Trianon " and the
" Willowbrook / (Oh Henry) " Ballrooms.

Vocals by Ron Smolen, members of the Orchestra and Ron Smolen on Accordion round out the performance to present a total Big Band Experience.

Ron Smolen offers trios and combos for smaller venues locally in Chicago. Combos will travel only upon special request.

About

The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra has performed thousands of engagements including Weddings, Concerts, Dinner Dances and Corporate Events throughout Chicago and the Midwest.

Local venues include: All of Chicago’s Major Ballrooms and Hotels, Navy Pier, Corporate Events, Grand Openings and Special Events held at an assortment of Banquet Facilities, Church Halls and Fraternal Organizations.

Local " Highlights " include:
Neighborhood Carnivals and Special Events;
Taste of Polonia, Chicago, Illinois;
Chicago Summer Dance, Chicago Winter Dance at Pritzker Pavilion, and
The Millennium Park – Grand Opening.. All in Downtown Chicago, Illinois;
Rialto Square Theater, Joliet, Illinois;
Pickwick Theater; Park Ridge, Illinois;
Gateway Theater; Chicago, Illinois;
Tivoli Theater, Downers Grove, Illinois;
Congress Theater, Chicago,Illinois;
The Twilight Ballroom Pavilion at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois.

National " Highlights " include:
Big Band Weekends,
Col Ballroom, Davenport, Iowa;
Eagles Million Dollar Ballroom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
Hub Ballroom, Edelstein, Illinois;
Centennial Terrace Ballroom, Sylvania (Toledo) Ohio;
Crystal Ballroom, Staunton, Illinois;
Avalon Theater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
Crystal Falls Theater, Crystal Falls, Michigan;
Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino, Peoria, Illinois;
Ho Chunk Casino, Baraboo, Wisconsin; Bear
Creek Farms Resort – Bryant, Indiana;
The Club – Birmingham, Alabama;
The Peabody Hotel - Memphis, Tennessee;
Hollywood Casino - Tunica, Mississippi;
French Lick Springs Hotel and Casino - French Lick, Indiana

The Ron Smolen Big Band / Orchestra performs " MONTHLY " at Chicagolands famous " Willowbrook Ballroom " in Willow Springs, Illinois

Influences and inspiration

The DANCE BANDS of the 30's and 40's

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