The Oceanside Big Band will play jazz standards and more in Parksville on May 5.
The band is directed by Dave Fullerton and was formed in October 2022, according to Jim Thompson, one of the group’s saxophonists.
“We’re primarily a jazz band, so we play all types of swing and shuffle and ballads,” Thompson said.
“Mostly the sort of stuff that you would hear back in the ’30s and ’40s. We do the occasional so-called rock tune, but we call it rock only because the style how we play it is different.”
Thompson mostly plays the baritone saxophone, but also plays alto saxophone and tenor sax as needed.
The 17-player band boasts a full horns section and a full rhythm section, and has guest added vocalist Gary Lovell for the May 5 show.
Fullerton taught for more than 40 years in the public school system, and took many bands to national championships and won numerous festivals over the years.
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When he retired on Vancouver Island, Thompson suggested they could form a jazz band.
The concert starts at 2:30 p.m. at Knox United Church, located at 345 Pym St. It will be approximately one and a half hours long, Thompson said.
Tickets will be available at the door and will cost $25 for adults, $10 for students and free for children under 10. The concert is presented by Oceanside Music.
The Oceanside Big Band has also planned a concert for June 29 at St. Andrews Lodge in Qualicum Beach, which will be a fundraising concert for the lodge.