Jazz gem: Ron Green Big Band

The Ron Green Big Band will perform at Cranleigh Arts Centre on Saturday, 2nd February, from 8pm.

The Ron Green Big Band were formed 12 years ago, by Ron, an enthusiastic jazz follower who was playing with Slinfold Concert Band, and still occasionally plays with the Petworth Town Band. At the age of 90 he has decided to call it a day with the band and has been thanked by his fellow members for setting it up and all his hard work over the years.

Most of the former members came from these two bands, starting as a group of friends who just wanted to play swing music for fun. It soon became obvious more was possible from this enthusiastic and talented bunch. The band has grown into a semi-professional group playing at dance venues, wedding receptions, parties and concerts, including Wentworth Golf Club and The Amex stadium at Brighton & Hove FC. They have also performed regularly at Cranleigh Arts Centre (CAC).

The band members travel from around Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey to rehearse on a monthly basis at The Band Room at Cranleigh. Now under the musical direction of Xav Riley, an accomplished Ewhurst musician, the normal line-up features six saxophones, three trumpets, three trombones, a rhythm section of piano, bass, guitar and drums, together with a female singer.

Their repertoire covers music from many eras and you can expect to hear Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and other great jazz composers.

The concert on 2nd February is a joint fundraiser with Cranleigh Arts Centre, so make every effort to attend.