WEDDING RECEPTION - May, 2023
I literally cannot put into words how grateful we are for you and the rest of the band. It was such a fantastic night that exceeded all of our expectations in so many ways. The music was the best of all - so again, after so much back and forth planning, thank you.
We would be so delighted to have you all back soon - hopefully my parents' 40th anniversary in October. Thank you thank you thank you again and please share with the band!
All the best,
Katherine
CONCERT REVIEW:
The Olney Big Band at The Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights
Posted By: Dr. Mark Dreisonstok on:
December 31, 2022
The Olney Big Band is a Maryland jazz orchestra which plays in many venues in the Maryland suburbs around Washington, D.C. We had an opportunity to see them on the lawn of the Potomac campus of the Washington Hebrew Congregation on Father’s Day of this year. They performed recreations of swing band classics, including Stan Kenton’s lush treatment of Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns” and Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” with an extended klezmer segment, ideal for the venue.
"…this talented ensemble…performs and renews the vital American art form of big band jazz"
More recently, we caught up with the Olney Big Band at the “Festival of Lights,” a holiday festival with a variety of nightly shows at the Visitors Center of the LDS Temple in Kensington (and a multitude of dazzling, electric Christmas lights on the trees outside).
CONCERT REVIEW:
‘SWonderful’ by Olney Big Band
Posted By: Cordelia Dreisonstok on:
January 16, 2020
The Olney Big Band plays swing music from the 1930’s-1940’s era. Yet the fact it is able to play in different styles and perform diverse material makes its unique repertoire accessible to all age groups. Indeed, the band is able to capture the audience’s attention and interest by playing a variety of jazz styles, such as jazz, swing, and bossa nova. Even atmospheric Christmas and New Year’s music can be heard in the course of a performance, played using different sections (brass and reeds), and finally combining different sections and percussion instruments into a melody.
"The Olney Big Band understands that part of a swing band’s appeal is not only musicianship but showmanship"
The band performs at the annual Olney Theatre Centre’s Historic Stage in Olney each November and also occasionally at the Art Deco Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park..
WEDDING KUDOS -
October, 2022
I can’t tell you how much everyone enjoyed the band. It’s the first thing that comes up whenever someone mentions the wedding. One of the guys in attendance was so impressed that he sat his kids down at dinner and explained to them how big band era music spans generations and connects us all together through something familiar.
Needless to say, you all made a great impression and made everyone happy - that’s what it’s really all about. It was really fun playing with you all too.
Mike