Blue Notes Swing Band
Location: Based in JohannesburgBiography
The Blue Notes Swing Band is a group of highly professional musicians who recreate the music of the Big Band era, and add elements of modern swing to offer a fabulous mix of repertoire suitable for all ages.
The band was formed by Laurie Howe, and features the multi talented Pam Mortimer on sax, flugel horn and vocals. Laurie was a member of a swing band in New York City during the resurgence of swing while studying at the Manhattan School of Music and the State University of New York at Stony Brook where she received her Masters degree. Upon her return to South Africa, she sourced a group of professional musicians from the Gauteng area to form a swing ensemble that could compete with those in the US.
They have various sizes of band varying from a 4 piece jazz ensemble to 6, 8, 10, 11 and 13 piece swing band with male and female vocalists. They also come complete with our own sound equipment. Original Big Band swing arrangements have been adapted to suit the smaller bands.
The Blue Notes have performed in concert at the Johannesburg Country Club, and have played for various weddings and corporate functions, backing well-known solo artists.
Instrumentation
- 4 piece jazz ensemble: Sax/flugel horn/ female jazz vocals, bass, keyboard and drumkit
- 6 piece jazz/swing ensemble: Sax/flugel horn/female jazz vocals, bass, keboard, drumkit, trumpet and trombone
- 8 piece Swing Band: Alto sax/female vocals, Sax/male vocals, tenor sax/clarinet, trumpet, trombone, keyboard, bass and drumkit
- 10 piece Swing Band: Alto sax/female vocals, Sax/male vocals, tenor sax/clarinet, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, keyboard, bass and drum
- 11 piece Swing Band: Alto sax/female vocals, Sax/male vocals, tenor sax/clarinet, 4th alto sax, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, keyboard, bass and drumkit
- 13 piece Swing Band: Alto sax/female vocals, Sax/male vocals, tenor sax/clarinet, 4th alto sax, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, keyboard, bass and drumkit
Client Feedback
Thank you for your part in the booking. We were immensely impressed with the Blue Notes’ performance. It added a touch of class and a joyous ambience to our party. Laurie is a true professional and very accommodating and flexible. Her band members and technical staff are all thoroughly competent and expert at their jobs. Booking a bind like this is worth every cent for the enormous entertainment value and enjoyment that it adds to a function. Highly recommended!
Salome Snyman, private client
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