- Oxford University Big Band
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File:Oxford University Big Band Logo.pngLogo of the Oxford University Big Band
The Oxford University Big Band or OUBB is the oldest big band at the University of Oxford, England. The ensemble is part of the Oxford University Music Society and was founded in 1961, by Peter Hartley and Bill Ashton OBE who later founded and was the first musical director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, NYJO. The Oxford University Big Band is one of the three official big bands of the University of Oxford, alongside the Oxford University Jazz Orchestra and Donut Kings.
Contents
History
The band was founded in 1961 by Peter Hartley and Bill Ashton OBE, during which time the band's efforts were focused on rehearsing and performing within Oxford. After a time, the band began to take part in local and national competitions throughout the UK.
After spending many years dormant, in 2005 the OUBB was reformed by students of Oxford University who felt there was a need for a new top-flight jazz ensemble to accommodate the large pool of talented jazz musicians at the university. It was not long before the band was performing, recording and going on tour. After a year back in business it became the first ever big band to perform in Oxford's most famous concert hall, the Sheldonian Theatre.
Since 2005 the band has gone on numerous tours. In 2006 it toured to Barcelona, Spain, in 2007 the band performed in Delhi and Mumbai, India. In 2008 the band travelled to perform at the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland (2008), and most recently, the band has collaborated with trumpeter and composer Mark Armstrong. He wrote a four part suite describing the summer solstice and the changing of the seasons for the exclusive performance of OUBB. The piece was first performed and recorded at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford before being taken on tour to the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland (2009). In the same year the band also performed at the world famous Bull's Head in Barnes.
In December 2009 OUBB performed a selection of popular big band charts at the Jacqueline du Pré auditorium at St Hilda's College Oxford. In February 2010 the ensemble performed with guest soloist Dave O'Higgins at the Magdalen College Auditorium.
In July 2010 OUBB travelled to China to perform at multiple venues as part of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
Current activity
In February 2011 the OUBB will be performing a concert featuring guest artist Mark Nightingale, one of the UK's premier jazz trombonists.
References
External links
Categories:- Clubs and societies of the University of Oxford
- Music from Oxford
- Big bands
- British jazz ensembles
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