Over fifty years ago a group of men including Paul Krans and Don Davis started to play the music they loved as a group. This was the music of their youth, Big Band Swing Music. As word got out the band grew until it became a full seventeen piece big band. It was in the early 1960's that the Akron Big Band out grew Paul's home and moved to Westminster Presbyterian Church in west Akron. We now rehearse at the the Kenmore Community Center in Akron.
It is sad to say that none of the founding members are alive today to see how well the musical "seed" they planted, in 1955, has grown into today. With every performance we keep alive the music that we love and the memories of our friends that are no longer here to help us play it.
We celebrated our 60th anniversary in 2010. This is an anniversary that business strives for, couples cherish for and is almost unheard of for big bands. A true honor for all of us!
The Akron Big Band is more of a community band than a business, even though we are organized as a corporation in the state of Ohio. Our members are paid by your applause and seeing the smiles on your faces. I cannot count the number of times someone has told a band member, "I saw Glen Miller when I was young and you just took me right back there." It is The Akron Big Band's mission to create new memories for the young and bring back the good old memories of the rest. 50 Plus years of keeping the best music alive!
Come in early and Eat and Drink at Paninoteca in The Rialto Living Room starting at 5pm!
Doors: 6:30pm / Showtime: 7:00pm