The Vocalists

Jill Sandler - Vocals, Percussion

Jill Sandler began her musical life very early--at the tender age of four and a half she began what would be years of piano lessons--but she always loved to sing in front of an audience.  "I often serenaded my friends and family using the upright vacuum cleaner as my microphone, and, when I got too tall--a hairbrush!"   In high school and college, Jill was a vocalist in "pop/show" bands, and was able to continue performing when she moved to the Washington, DC area and joined the Columbia Jazz Band where she remains lead vocalist and percussionist.  She's been with the Olney Big Band since 2004.   Jill owes her love of big band music to her father.  "Many of the songs we currently play were the same songs I heard wafting through the house growing up!   It's such a thrill to be able to share this very special music with all generations, but especially with those who lived through the big band era--you can tell it brings back memories, and that they're happy it's still being played to large audiences.   By the same token, it's also wonderful to see young children enjoying our concerts--it's as if they're telling us that despite the variety of music that's out there today, this quintessential American sound will live on for generations to come."

Brad Bawek - Vocals, Percussion, Graphics Guru

Brad fell in love with music at a very early age. He was raised in a large family and can’t remember a time when they weren’t singing together.

Brad’s earliest performances included his parents bundling him and his siblings up against the Minnesota cold and parading them around town to sing Christmas carols. When they weren’t performing for church or social functions, they were singing along with Lawrence Welk every Saturday night. Most families had rules about elbows and talking with your mouth full during dinner, their main rule was “no singing at the table”.

Brad was a member of Fargo, and the Snowy Wood bands, and has worked as a soloist for corporate and private functions. He has even admitted to working as a singing waiter during his studies at the University of Minnesota. He eventually left the music business to channel his energy into a graphics design carreer.

Brad is eternally grateful to his wife for gently shoving him back towards the microphone. He also thanks Rip Rice and the entire Olney Big Band for reintroducing him to the music of his youth, and the opportunity to fall in love with it once more.