By Bill Bucher, Salisbury Symphony
Doors 6:30; concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14
The Rowan Big Band, a 20-piece big band made up almost entirely of local musicians, makes its annual appearance at the Lee Street Theatre on Friday.
The Rowan Big Band performs fewer than a dozen gigs each year, and much of the Fall is spent preparing and rehearsing for the Christmas shows. This year the RBB has been honored to be selected to play not only in Salisbury for the Lee Street Christmas Show this year on Dec. 14, but also will be headlining a show at the Stanley Agri Civic Center in Albemarle on Dec. 8.
In addition to those well-known Christmas swing numbers the Rowan Big Band specializes in the RBB also covers many of the greatest Christmas song classics performed by great singers from Bing Crosby to Mariah Carey, and from Don Henley (the Eagles) to Chris Brown. The Rowan Big Band delivers their own special Christmas blend of music and hijinx, featuring vocalists Nikki Jones-Baily, Alexis Cowan, Bill Bucher Jr. and the vocal harmony group, the Moonglows.
Tickets for both events on sale now. Join us for an evening of Big Band music and fun spiced with all of your favorite new and old Christmas tunes played as only a big band can play them.
The Rowan Big Band All Stars include • Trumpet: Van Rowell, Bill Hall, Ned Weavil, Don Angel and Conard Haywood • Trombone: Chris Wilson, Randell Hastings, Charles Emerich, Eric Shakespeare • Saxophone: Ron Turbyfill, Mike Price, Ed Harper, Tim Hedrick, Mary Ellen Williams • Piano: Nancy Sloop • Drums: Austen Peters • Guitar: Graham Carlton • Bass: Craig Malz • Vocalists: Nikki Jones-Bailey, Bill Bucher Jr. and Alexis Cowan, with guest vocal group The Moonglows, featuring Kent Bernhardt, John Brincefield, Bill Bucher, Carol Harris, Kay Peeler and Lauren Stephenson.
The Salisbury concert is a one night only event. Tickets are $22.90. The concert will take place at Lee Street theatre, 329 N. Lee St., 704-310-5507.
For ticket information about the Albemarle performance go to www. http://stanlyciviccenter.com/