Long after most students went home for the day, the sound of jazz rang through the halls of Swampscott High School on Tuesday, December 9.
The source was an orchestral group of community members of all ages, called the Blue Big Band, rehearsing for the final time before they take the stage in front of an audience on Sunday, December 14.
With the holiday season rolling in, the orchestra will play Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, a collection of Christmas songs. It is the first time the group will host a holiday themed concert. The band, however, is no stranger to Duke Ellington, playing from his 1963 album in May.
The band is directed by Swampscott resident Timo Shanko, an accomplished musician who has toured around the world playing bass and saxophone.
Band members financially contribute to help its success. The Blue Big Band also received a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, allowing it to hire Shanko and continue to manage concerts.
Band manager and Swampscott High School teacher JoE Douillette said the group, whose members range from high school students to seniors, has come a long way since it started rehearsing the music in September.
“It sounds like a trainwreck at first,” he said. “For the first three or four practices you can barely hear the music, but Timo has guided us through it.”
Douillette said the music is a nice entry point for anyone unfamiliar with Ellington’s music.
“It’s a fun concert,” said Douillette. “It’s not like what people might think of a big band. There’s some real subtlety to it.”
As the group kept on rehearsing, Douillette said over time it became clear what Ellington was doing with the music.
“It’s exciting to hear it reveal itself,” he said. “I hope people will find a way to enjoy what Ellington did with it.”
Sunday’s show will start at 2 p.m. at Swampscott HIgh School. Admission is $10. Seniors and children will be admitted for free.
“Hopefully Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, played by the Blue Big Band, will become a
Swampscott holiday tradition,” said Douillette.
