Time:
Monday
December, 19, 2022
07:30 PM - 08:45 PM
Location:
W196
Category
Adult/Community Jazz Ensemble
Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Pete Ellman Big Band was formed as a 501-C3 “not for profit” in 2009 after Pete received a donation of hundreds of big band charts from his friend Wayne Cook. Now considered to be one of the best big bands in the Midwest, they perform weekly at “The Venue” in Aurora. Members of the Pete Ellman Big Band have played with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, The Who, Tom Jones, Harry Connick Jr., Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Wynton Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Aretha Franklin, Wayne Newton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Barry Manilow, and many more. In 2015 the band started their annual Jazz Festival. The guest artists that year were Wayne Bergeron, Andy Martin, and Jeff Coffin. Thanks to Yamaha Corporation and Ellman’s Music Center, Jeff Coffin joins the band again for today’s performance.
In 2021 the band started the GIFTS program (Giving Instruments For Teaching Students). GIFTS provides musical instruments to up-and-coming Chicagoland youth who otherwise would be unable to acquire an instrument on their own. We want more youth to have the opportunity to become band or orchestra students. 50% of all proceeds from the band’s latest album, The Twelve Grooves of Christmas go to the GIFTS program. The bands albums, “For Pete’s Ache” and “The Twelve Grooves of Christmas”, are available for purchase at www.pebb.net. Donations to the GIFTS program are also accepted on the website.
Pete Ellman Big Band NFP
Conductor's Bio
Pete attended DePaul University and majored in Trumpet Performance. He was a member of the 566th Air Force Band from 1980 – 2000. Pete continues to play professionally and has performed with nationally known artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wayne Newton, Bob Newhart, Chicago Sinfonietta for the Joffrey Ballet, and many more. Being a trumpet player, Pete’s favorite artist to join the Pete Ellman Big Band as guests are Wayne Bergeron and Louis Dowdeswell.
As the President of Ellman’s Music Center, Pete is very active in the Naperville Community. Combining the resources and contacts of Ellman’s Music Center and The Pete Ellman Big Band, the band has hosted numerous fundraisers for local non-profits such as Loaves and Fishes, Toys for Tots, Kids Matter, Kidz Cabaret, Youth Symphony of DuPage, Naperville Education Foundation, Gil Ellman Memorial Fund, and more. To Pete, it’s all about giving back to the community to help kids, in general, and also give kids an opportunity to participate in the arts.
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