Big Band of the Blue Ridge

Name: Big Band of the Blue Ridge
Start: 2026-10-10
End: 2026-10-11
Location: Bower Center for the Arts

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Big Band of the Blue Ridge

Saturday, October 10, 2026 (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM) (EDT)

Description

The Big Band of the Blue Ridge is a sixteen-piece big band based in Bedford, Virginia, dedicated to the performance of classic and contemporary big band jazz. The BBBR was originally founded as the University of Lynchburg Community Big Band in 2014 by Dr. Chris Magee. Following the closure of the UL Music Department in 2025, the band regrouped as the Big Band of the Blue Ridge and found a new home at Bower Center for the Arts in Bedford. Dr. Magee continues as director and lead trumpet, and the band’s membership is drawn from the best jazz musicians in the region.

Meet the Band:

Alto 1 - Jeff Love

Alto 2 - Charles Ohmart

Tenor 1 - Lou Madsen

Tenor 2- Alex Gurchinoff

Bari - Andy Fariss

Trumpets

1 Chris Magee

2 Don Hershey

3 Renae Adrian

4 Josh Barling

Trombones

1 Austin Seybert

2 Stefan Castro

3 Nate Simpson

4 Steve Adrian

Rhythm

Piano - Mark Lyford

Bass - Lillianna Yates

Drums - Nick Moore

October Performance Set List:

C Jam Blues (Duke Ellingon, arranged by Bill Potts)

Ana Luiza (Antonio Carlos Jobim, arranged by Claus Ogerman; features Austin Seybert on trombone)

Outrageous Mother (comp. and arr. by Phil Wilson)

Fred (comp. and arr. by Neal Hefti)

Forgotten Thoughts (comp. and arr. by Kris Berg; features Josh Barling on trumpet)

It Mostly Bees That Way, Sigmund Floyd (comp. and arr. by Phil Wilson)

Intermission

Kansas City Shout (recorded by Count Basie, comp. and arr. by Ernie Wilkins)

La Boehm (based on a theme from the Puccini opera, arranged for the Tonight Show Band by Tommy Newsom; features Dr. George Miklas on harmonica)

Come Rain or Come Shine (recorded by Woody Herman and His Thundering Herd, arranged by Nat Pierce)

Passing Fancy (comp. and arr. by Don Schamber)

Slauson Cutoff (comp. and arr. by Tom Kubis)

Bower Center for the Arts is fully handicap accessible, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming experience for all visitors.

Become a Concert Series Sponsor!

Please review the Concert Series sponsor levels and benefits attached below. Your annual sponsorship will start with the first concert after your registration is received and run for one year. Please contact Susan Martin, Director of Development & Marketing at s.martin@bowercenter.org with any questions or to review the benefits. Please click HERE to review the Concert Series Sponsor Levels with Benefits!

Cancellation Policy: You may request to cancel your ticket for a full refund, up to 72 hours before the date and time of the event. Cancellations made two days before the event may be transferred to a different concert in the same year. Cancellation requests made within 24 hours of the concert may not receive a refund nor a transfer.