Author Archives: Westside Sound Big Band of Albuquerque

About Westside Sound Big Band of Albuquerque

We are an exciting swing Big Band that performs classic dance-band favorites made famous by such great groups as Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, as well as 50s rock ‘n roll. We play for public events, wedding receptions, dinners, church functions, charity benefits and senior facilities. Our 14-piece band includes saxes, trombones, trumpets, and rhythm section, and vocalist, produces an authentic Big Band sound. We can also arrange a smaller group, if needed. We perform for everything from small gatherings to large formal events in the Albuquerque-Rio Rancho area. We have a large repertoire of Swing, Jazz, Latin, Dixieland, Polkas, Blues, Show-tunes and popular favorites, all suitable for dancing and listening. We play fast, slow or both, you choose. If you have a favorite, we probably play it. If you would like us to play for your group or event, please call band leader, Jim Thompson at 505-917-2865.

Harry James Revisited

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Over the past year, our viewers on youtube have watched our Harry James “Two O’clock Jump” video the most times of any of our videos.  So we thought it should be refreshed, and re-edited.  The new video has four highlights from our performances, including:

* Jazz standard “Birdland,”
* Glenn Miller’s “St. Louis Blues March,”
* Latin flavored “Temptation,”
* and Harry James’ “Two O’Clock Jump.”

Big Band Era Photo Collection Swings

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The Westside Sound website has collected 800 photographs from the great 1930s to 1950s Big Band Era, including:

  • Band leaders, bands, and bandsmen,
  • Jazz singers,
  • Swing dancers,
  • Big-band era posters,
  • Early jazz music greats, as well as,
  • 50s and 60s jazz stars.

Example swing era photos include:

Picture of Count BasiePicture of Billie HolidayPicture of Peggy Lee

Picture of Benny Goodman and Gene KrupaPicture of Swing DancersDave Brubeck at Piano

Glenn Miller PosterPicture of Cotton Club NYPicture of Bix Beiderbecke

Take a trip with us through yesteryear, and enjoy these photos as much as we do.  

To check out summary displays of the collection on our website, click on this link:

BIG BAND ERA PHOTO COLLECTION 

The collection itself is located on the Pinterest photo sharing website. To see the photos, click on this link:

Westside Sound Big Band

Discover some of the greatest photos made during the Big Band Era.

 

Judy Garland’s “You Made Me Love You” & other Highlights Video Released

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Westside Sound Big Band of Albuquerque just released our second swinging highlights video from our February party at Piano Source‘s performance and dance space in Albuquerque. Highlights include Judy Garland’s “You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want to Do It),” the lively “The Opener,” and Sammy Nestico’s “Groovin’ Easy.”