| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Coordinator: | |
| When: | Fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 pm 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each Month |
| Venue: | Blessed Robert Grissold Church Hall |
| Cost: | Contribution to cost of Hall hire |
The Big Band is based in Balsall Common and has the conventional line of four Trumpets, four Trombones, five Saxophones, and a rhythm section – comprising Piano, Bass, Guitar, and Drums. The band is now run by a three person team and is on cooperative principles.
I had the idea for a big band in the Autumn of 2015 and together with two friends we started with a small band in February 2016, and by March that year the band had grown to a thin version of the conventional band, and very soon to a full strength. Part of the idea was to give people a safe place to practice big band Jazz and swing. Mostly people came to try out the band and stayed
Our first public performance was the core meeting at the Balsall Common u3a in May 2016.
Our first public performance was the core meeting at the Balsall Common u3a in May 2016. From then, and until Covid lockdown we performed publicly to several other u3a meetings as well as Balsall Common, Sutton Coldfield Water Mill, Balsall Common Windmill.
Typical for the u3a we have had some attrition in membership, some due to illness, some moving out of the area, or some simply retiring. We had to stop playing during the Lockdown and when we restarted most of our members returned and since then we have welcomed several more. Membership comes from a large area in the West Midlands with Balsall Common being (by fortunate chance) at the epicentre.
Our original Musical Director (MD) was the friend who is a semi-professional Sax. player. He then handed the baton over to the lead trumpet player who was a member of the trio setting the band up. He retired from the MD function after some eight years in post, and bringing the band to a high musical standard. This function was passed to the first tenor sax player who has built on the predecessor’s high quality. We added a singerA to band in 2025. The Band is managed by three of us.
The band has now played at Care Homes, Balsall Common Windmill, more local u3a Monthly Meetings, and a private birthday function and in 2026 we are already booked for three gigs and the probability of a couple more.
If you want more information then please contact the Coordinator
U3a Big Band at Kenilworth School performing in their fundraising concert in aid of Mental Health
The u3a Big Band is now celebrating our 10th year of existence, and 9 years of performing publicly. Our most recent concert was on the 28th March at Kenilworth School, in their fundraising concert in aid of Mental Health for their students and staff.
We were one of several acts including a local (adults) choir, and the students singing solo and duets - to a very high standard, as well as group dancing, a student rock band and a student jazz group. They were all so very good, and enjoyable.
We did most of the second half starting with 'Puttin' on the Ritz', then 'Moondance' and Count Basie's arrangement of 'Cute', which featured our drummer Mike Rubery.
They were then followed by 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend' and 'Lady is a Tramp' sung by our singer Sue Starr.
The next three numbers were, a lusty version of 'Pink Panther', then two Glenn Miller numbers - 'In the Mood' and 'String of Pearls', all without a glitterball. These were followed by Sue singing a lovely version of 'At Last' and 'Sway'. We then launched into the nostalgic version of 'At the Sign of the Cymbal' - the signature tune of 'Top of the Pops' hosted by Tony Blackburn (Fluff); 'Tijuana Taxi' with our Musical Director Denise forsaking (temporarily) her Tenor Sax for a couple of bars on car horn.
Part of the planning this gig was, at some stage, including school students in one of our numbers and so three students joined us on 'Tequila', which also gave us some loud audience participation.
We gave in to audience demands for an encore, and played a very bouncy version of 'New York, New York'. We also played the audience leaving to this tune.
The feedback I have had so far has been very good.
We have another three gigs booked before our summer recess.
u3a Big Band performing at a u3a Monthly Meeting
