Jazz bands perform Wednesday concert

Three different Jazz Big Bands will perform in a free public concert at Bronco Billy’s Ranch Grill & Saloon on Wednesday, April 20, at 7 p.m.

The Sisters Jazz Festival along with the Sisters High School Varsity Jazz Band are hosting two 18-member college jazz bands filled with great players: The Lane Jazz Ensemble, and the COCC Adult Jazz Big Band.

The Lane Jazz Ensemble is an annual favorite in their appearances each Spring at the Reno Jazz Festival.

The group has made Sisters School District a regular stop along their route to Reno over the past 5 years. Lane Community College offers a very comprehensive music program to students, resulting in a growing membership of many excellent musicians in the Lane performing groups.

The COCC Adult Jazz Big Band has gained a widespread audience base under the leadership of director Tom Barber. Over recent years the band has appeared with the Central Oregon Symphony, and has provided special concert events for school students of Central Oregon. The band’s performances are now a regular sellout event at the Tower Theatre.

The Sisters Varsity Jazz Band will open the concert presenting material they are preparing for the Northwest Jazz Festival, at Mt. Hood College. The band is particularly excited about working up an arrangement of the Latin Jazz standard Manteca.

The concert has been scheduled on the covered and heated deck of Bronco Billy’s, where audience members will be served from the menu.