Very exciting 10 piece group. The sound of the group is an eclectic mix of the traditional big band era of the 30s and 40s, the burnin' NY bebop scene of the 50s and 60s, the rock/funk/latin fusion scene that came to follow, and forms yet to be defined.
We're big enough to produce a very full ensemble sound, yet small enough to shine the spotlight on each of the players. The focus of the group is on new original material (along with re-worked standards and such) designed to feature each of these great ensemble players as brilliant soloists in their own right.
A great concert band. A great dance band. Or a combination of both, to be tailored to your event.
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Skip Spiro is originally from New York where the family musical gene was passed on from grandmother Rose (piano teacher) to father Stan (saxophonist and bandleader) to son Skip (trumpeter, flugelhornist, valve trombonist). At the age of 13, Skip was the youngest musician to be admitted to the Stan Kenton Summer Jazz Clinics at the University Of Connecticut. It was there that he was selected to play lead trumpet with the Herb Pomeroy Orchestra.
At the age of 14, Skip put together his first band, a 15 piece jazz ensemble. Skip Spiro and The Rhythm Kings Orchestra went on to appear on The Merry Mailman and Chubby Jackson local New York television shows, as well as NBCs The Merv Griffin Show. Spiro continued as a very busy bandleader throughout high school playing weddings, jazz clubs, high school proms, and local beach clubs, appearing several times with jazz legend Maynard Ferguson.
At the University of Massachusetts, Skip once again formed a large jazz ensemble that became very much in demand touring the New England area and was regularly featured on the UMass radio station WMUA. Over the years, Skip has continued as an active musician on the West Coast, having appeared with Spiral Staircase, Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, The Wolfman Jack Show, and Tina Turner.
Todays current version of the Skip Spiro Band is in the form of a Little Big Band. Comprised of 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, 3 saxes, and traditional rhythm section, The Little Big Band is big enough to put out a big band sound, yet small enough to allow for each player in the band to express his or her individual creativity. Skip sums it up by saying, "I've never had more fun with a band than I am now. Each of the players in the group are extremely accomplished ensemble players as well as being very exciting soloists. And what's most thrilling for me is that several are emerging as very talented composer/arrangers. And beyond that, they are just great people to work with. Wherever we appear, I believe that kind of group enthusiasm really comes through."
Big Band
