A belated Happy New Year to you all.
Before we look forward to the year ahead, just some thoughts on The Front Row Big Band’s 2025.
We were delighted to see so many new faces, of all ages, in our audiences over the last year. We believe that once people have seen and heard The Front Row Big Band, they will want to come and see us again.
We’d like to thank those of you who came to see ‘A Swingin’ Christmas’ at Dunston Hall. The band and singers were on top form, and so were the audience, who gave us a great reception at the end of the concert. The audience and band particularly loved our surprise vocalist, Lin, who duetted with me on an updated version of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’.
What’s not to love about the sound of a seventeen-piece big band in full swing? Firstly, take the versatility and stylistic range of great musicians and then add in our fabulous vocalists performing styles from classical and swing to pop and contemporary from across the decades. Don’t forget that Glenn Miller was one of the pop stars of the 1940s!
The Front Row Big Band rehearse on a weekly basis – I think the band would all agree that it’s hard work but great fun. We’re always looking to push ourselves and improve, bringing new repertoire, as well as old favourites, to our audience.
Upcoming Concerts
One of our real pleasures is to bring guest artists to the East Anglian region to play with The Front Row Big Band. So, on Sunday, 8th February at 2.30 pm at the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, it will be our great privilege to welcome Alan Barnes, one of the finest clarinet and saxophone players in the world. You will be guaranteed a wonderful afternoon out. As well as being a fantastic musician, Alan could easily have had an alternative career as a stand-up comedian! When I first contacted Alan to see if he would like to join us, I asked him what a good title for the show would be. He suggested BARNESTORMING – a title that he had used once many years ago. What a great title! With the title agreed and several conversations later, I’ve just finalised the set list. So here are a few of the tunes that we’ll be playing with Alan, just to whet your appetite: Mission to Moscow (Benny Goodman), In the Bleak Midwinter (reimagined by the wonderful arranger and trombonist Mark Nightingale, especially for Alan) and Sleepin’ in the Studio (by the great American composer/arranger Tom Kubis). WOW, we’re very excited…
We love to share our latest news and events with you and hope that you can come along to our shows and encourage your family and friends to join us. There’s nothing better than listening to a live Big Band. You can follow the Front Row Big Band on Facebook and Instagram.
On Friday, March 20th (7.30-10 pm), we will be presenting our second Swing Dance at The Belvedere Centre in Norwich. Our first Swing Dance in November 2025 was a great success. Come along and dance the night away with us, with our special guest DJ AndyAV8. The Swing Dancers are a lovely bunch of people who will be extremely happy to help inexperienced dancers get into the swing of things.
We’re also back for three Jazz at The Hall gigs in The Eaton Suite at Dunston Hall. The first will be on Thursday, March 26th, 2026, 8-10 pm, where we will be presenting our usual eclectic mix of big band styles with vocals, in a lovely, intimate setting. There will be more Jazz at The Hall evenings on Thursday, June 11th and Thursday, October 8th, from 8-10 pm – programmes to be announced nearer the time.
On Saturday, April 25th, we’ll be at Cromer Pier Theatre with the fabulous Olly Day for an evening of comedy and song. This year with not one, but two female vocalists.
Further Ahead
On Sunday, May 17th 2.30-5 pm, we’re back at Gorleston Pavilion with our brand-new show, Glenn Miller and The Fabulous 40s. This will be packed to the rafters with your favourite Glenn Miller tunes plus the best music from The Swing Era. We’ll guarantee that you’ll be ‘In the Mood’ all afternoon.
Our renowned Ella & Basie show comes to Gorleston Pavilion Theatre on Sunday, 13th September, 2.30 pm -5 pm. We’re delighted to present the best of the wonderful Ella Fitzgerald and the peerless Count Basie, not to be missed!
Friday, November 20th 7.30-10 pm sees us holding another Swing Dance at The Belvedere Centre.
Finally, for this year, we return to Dunston Hall in The Sunningdale Suite on the afternoon of Sunday, December 20th, 3 pm -5.15 pm for ‘A Swingin’ Christmas’, with all your Christmas favourites played in the Big Band style. If you come along this year, you should find out what might have happened if George Michael had ever sung with Count Basie!!
All the shows can be booked online – see our website for further details: www.frontrowbigband.co.uk
If you’re interested in booking the band for any events or occasions, please contact us through our website at: hello@frontrowbigband.co.uk
Thanks again for following us and supporting local musicians and singers. We look forward to seeing you all soon.
Martin Eaton
(MD The Front Row Big Band)
The Big Band Sound is Alive and Swinging with The Front Row Big Band!