The Coastline Swing Band
recreates the swinging jazz sounds of the Big Band era, performing exciting
compositions that span an entire century of music, including classics made famous
by Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Harry
James and Tommy Dorsey.
In the fine tradition of
these great orchestras, The Coastline Swing Band is a 17-piece jazz band
consisting of five saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, guitar, bass,
piano, drums, and occasionally a female vocalist.
Where To See Us
Contact us at
coastlineswingband@cox.net
First
Thursday of Every Month
Third
Thursday of Every Month
General Stanton Inn Wilcox Tavern
Images Courtesy of Dave Sherman.
Band History
The Coastline Swing Band is directed by
David Francis, Kit Johnson and Hank Burr who is also the original founder
of the group. Burr knew that he wanted to organize a big band and spent a
year in the planning stage. Being new to the area, he had no musical
contacts. After meeting musicians in the area and compiling lists of
potential players and many, many phone calls, a band was formed.
Obtaining music was also a problem but
through the kindness of many sources, a library was obtained. The Band
held its first rehearsal in March of 1994 and has performed at various area
restaurants including Mary’s Italian Restaurant and Rafters Restaurant in
Westerly, the Best Western Hotel in Mystic and the Villa Trombino formerly on
Rt.3 in Westerly. The Coastline Swing Band was a major attraction at the
annual Charlestown Seafood Festival in August 1996 - 2000 and performed for the
Charlestown Chamber Of Commerce Valentine Dinner Dance in February 1997 through
2001. In 2006 was selected to play for the Rhode Island Governor in a
fundraiser supporting Seniors Helping Others.
The group started out as a rehearsal band, but soon people began drifting in to hear the music and began to dance. Thus the group gained an enthusiastic audience and continued to perform. The musicians are of a very high caliber and come from Southern Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut. They find their rewards from the social aspects and musical challenges of performance. The Coastline Swing Band, in its own small way, is helping to keep alive the big band sounds of the past.
Contact Information
Electronic mail
General Information: coastlineswingband@cox.net
Send mail to coastlineswingband@cox.netwith
questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Coastline Swing Band
Last modified: March 17, 2007