The Grand River Big Band is a 17 piece band specializing in music from the heart... Jazz! The band features saxophones, trombones, trumpets, piano, guitar, bass, drums and singer. Smaller groups are available for special occasions and dances.

In May of 1991, a Big Band ensemble was formed for the purpose of presenting an example of swing era music for the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band Jazz Concert that season. The group rehearsed only six numbers for the concert performance, but enjoyed it so much that several members discussed the possibility of keeping the group together to perform as a fund raising arm of the larger Symphonic Band.

From this, the Grand River Big Band was born. Members of the GRBB are selected from the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band. The group has performed at many venues since 1991; Center Pointe Mall, Coast Guard Festival, Bay Pointe Restaurant at Gun Lake, Egypt Valley Country Club, Battle Creek Country Club, Muskegon Country Club, Elks Country Club, Lowell Showboat, Lake Odessa End of Summer Concert, Festival - Grand Rapids, USO shows, Fredrick Meijer Gardens, and Grand Haven summer Waterfront Dances as well as many private gatherings.

So sit back and listen or get up and dance to the music heard on the radios, 78 rpm records and juke boxes from 1930 to the present. The same big band sound that embraced our nation during the big band era remains timeless today.

For more information about booking the Grand River Big Band, please contact:

William VanderPloeg
PO Box 11
Ada, MI 49301
616-822-7203 or 616-956-5101(w)