OUR STORY

 

The Evolution Big Band performs modern arrangements of popular jazz standards and today’s contemporary big band music for concert venues in support of charitable causes.

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Founded in 2004 as the Stardust Orchestra, the all-volunteer organization includes some of the top jazz musicians in the Lowcountry who are committed to keeping big band music alive, relevant and contemporary.  With a robust library of more than 6,500 arrangements spanning a wide range of jazz styles, the band features songs made popular by Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, and upbeat arrangements popularized by the Tonight Show Orchestra, Buddy Rich, Michael Buble' and Nat “King” Cole, among others.

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As big band music styles have evolved over the years, the musical repertoire of the band has changed accordingly. The band changed its name to the Evolution Big Band in 2017 to reflect the changing nature of its music.

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The band includes talented jazz musicians who share their time and talents on a weekly basis to support the mission of the band. As an all-volunteer organization, band members receive no pay. However, admission and freewill offerings are taken that flow directly to worthy charities. Through playing at fundraisers and donations from the band itself, to date the Evolution Big Band has helped numerous non-profit organizations in the Lowcountry raise more than $450,000 to support their causes, including Family Promise of Beaufort County, Bluffton Self Help, the Hilton Head Junior Jazz Foundation, the Sun City Lions Club, The Rotary Club of Bluffton and the Kiwanis Club of Bluffton, just to name a few!

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For more information about the Evolution Big Band performances and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Executive Director Jeff Shawd at: jeffshawd@msn.com.

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