Big Band

The Big Band has become an exciting and innovative section within the Police Band. The band consists of the standard line up of 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 5 trumpets, rhythm and vocals.

The repertoire of the band comprises over 300 charts ranging from traditional big band, Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Woody Herman through to funky versions of Tower of Power and Quincy Jones arrangements. The Band members also enjoy playing charts of current modern big bands such as the Bob Mintzer Big Band and works performed by the Australian Jazz Musician James Morrison. Many of the bands arrangements were scored for the band by the Police Band’s arranger Senior Constable Roger Downton. Recent arrangements have also come from the computer of the band’s leader Senior Constable Lance Perryman.

In recent times, the Big Band has featured on many Concert Band programs and has appeared frequently on television. The band is a mainstay at balls and cabarets providing Latin, Quickstep and Swing music for the dancing pleasure of patrons. Several floor shows can be performed by the band and vocalists, they have included an “Elvis Presley Tribute”, “Dianna Ross and the Supremes” and “The Blues Brothers”. New floorshows are always being written and 1999 saw  the emergence of a tribute to “Frank Sinatra” and a resurgence by the “Blues Brothers” based on the music from the film Blues Brothers 2000.

2000 was the year of "Dusty Springfield", dynamically portrayed by our vocalist at the time Diane Dixon, along with a continuance of the Blues Brothers.

2001 saw a 70's spectacular tribute to "The Village People" in full costumes! and our own Todd Martin show as "Buddy Holly" with David Polain chipping in as "The Big Bopper"

2004 saw the Big Band start to record a new CD of classic Big Band standards, new hip tunes and vocal evergreensd, which has yet to be finalised or titled.  It is expected to be released early in 2005.

The Band members are...

Saxophones

Lance Perryman (Leader) - Alto, Clarinet. Flute

Jaqueline Hatcher - Alto, Clarinet

David Burvill-Holmes - Tenor, Flute

Peter Taylor - Tenor

Matthew Macdonald - Baritone

Trumpets

Paul West

Nick Bauer

Todd Martin

Robert Booth

John Ezergailis

Trombones

David Gardiner

Michael Murphy

Neil Percy

David Polain

Rhythm Section

Colin Archibald - Piano

Craig Menzel - Guitar

Neil Conaghty - Electric Bass

Steve Todd - Kit

Scott Howard - Percussion

Vocals

Melissa McCaig

David Burvill-Holmes

Todd Martin

Production

Adam Buckley - Sound Engineer

CD'S Recorded by this ensemble

Audio Track playing  "Quintessence"

Featuring Band Leader Senior Constable 1st Class Lance Perryman

press esc to stop music

This page last updated Wednesday September 19, 2007