The Monroe Big Band
The Monroe Big Band

River Raisin Jazz

The Monroe Big Band is a community-oriented group of musicians (we still have our day jobs) . Our repertoire consists largely of the Big Band Swing music (ala Count Basie), but has sprinklings of Latin, Bossa, Pop and even a little Rock to add variety and color to our performance. Regardless of the style, the sound is that of a full 17-piece band, including a vocalist (on selected arrangements). We play in the Monroe, Ann Arbor, Detroit and Toledo metropolitan areas and typically do weddings, reunions and special events.

The indoor photos on this page were taken at the Trenton Trillium Theatre in Trenton, MI. The outdoor photo was taken at the 2004 River Raisin Jazz Festival in Monroe, MI. Click on an image to get the full-sized version.

Additional Pictures

The band has a smaller Sextet group that plays in venues that cannot accomodate the size or musical volume of a full 17 piece Big Band.

Sample Music Clips

The best way to find out about us is to listen! All files are MP3 digital sound files taken from live performances using a Sony MiniDisk recorder. Note that these are for demo purposes only!!

Netscape users: You will need to save the file first before playing it. Right-click on the MP3 file and choose Save Link As... to save the file. Once its downloaded, use your favorite MP3 player to play the file.
Song Title
Time
(mm:ss)
MP3
File size
Everyday I Have the Blues
2:19
2.3MB
Sentimental Journey
4:01
3.9MB
Satin Doll
3:30
3.4MB
Doin' Basie's Thing
3:44
3.6MB
Meditation
3:14
3.1MB
What Kind of Fool Am I?
4:58
4.8MB
It's a Wonderful Day
2:28
2.4MB
Zoot Suit Riot
4:35
4.4MB


Booking Information

For booking information for either group, call (or email) Tim Lentner (tlentner@chartermi.net) at (734) 587-8175 during reasonable hours, Eastern time. Please leave voice mail if no one is able to answer the phone. A demo CD is available upon request.

Scheduled Appearance Dates

Here's a current listing of our scheduled play dates. Public, free or low-fee dates are in Bold.

Date
 		Description
February 17, 2006 Community Band Concert. Woodhaven High School Aud., Woodhaven, MI (7:00-10:00pm)
Directions: Woodhaven HS

Maps & Directions

I have a number of directions files online below. For other directions, or if you have questions concerning directions, email Jeff Kopmanis (kopmanis@umich.edu) The online maps are courtesy of SMARTpages.com. They can be manipulated to zoom out, to change perspective, etc.

I have directions online for the following locations:

UAW Pavilion, Warren, MI Text Directions Map: N/A
St. Charles Catholic Church, Newport, MI. Text Directions Map: Map to St. Charles Church
Woodhaven High School, Flatrock, MI No Text Directions Map: MapQuest
St. Mary's Park, Monroe, MI.
(acrosst from St. Mary's Church) 		Text Directions Map: Map to St. Mary's Church and Park
Monroe County Fairgrounds Text Directions Map: Map to the Monroe County Fairgrounds
Frenchtown Square Mall, Monroe, MI. Text Directions Map: Map to Frenchtown Square Mall

Members by Section

Saxophones

Trumpets

Trombones

Rhythm

Vocals


Maintained by Jeff Kopmanis (kopmanis@umich.edu)
Updated: February 1, 2006