Now the 15-piece band is on tenterhooks as the latest lockdowns threaten a comeback appearance at The Aussie in Shepparton due in three weeks’ time.
Co-founder Brian Matthews said the orchestra's first concert at Victoria Park Lake for the launch of the 2019 Shepparton Festival was a sign of great things to come.
“We got a really positive reaction, the crowd really loved it,” he said.
The orchestra went on to play a winter market concert in the Maude St Mall followed by a sell-out gig at The Aussie in November.
The smooch and slap of standard swing jazz numbers such as Minnie the Moocher, Georgia on My Mind and Sweet Georgia Brown mixed with more contemporary funk and fusion sounds such as those from Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band struck a chord with the Shepparton audiences.
When Shepparton singer Rachael Howard arrived to add her silky tones, the orchestra was set for an upbeat future.
Then COVID appeared and pressed the pause button on live Shepparton jazz.
Saxophone and clarinet player Mr Matthews and keyboardist Wade Gregory came up with the idea of putting a jazz band together in 2018.
“Wade and I had played together a few times and we'd talked about forming a bigger band with great players from the area — we knew who they were,” Mr Matthews said.
“Everyone we approached said I'm in."
Mr Matthews said keeping the audience interested was important.
“We try and vary the program, we might play Benny Goodman or Glenn Miller but we don't rely on the older stuff. We try and incorporate modern sounds in there for a younger audience too,” he said.
The orchestra is made up of 15 musicians: five sax players, six on brass, a guitarist, bass player, drummer and singer.
Many are teachers, some are amateur enthusiasts — all are jazz lovers.
While Mr Gregory directs the music, Mr Matthews co-ordinates the players for rehearsals.
He said when players held a rehearsal six weeks ago at the Wanganui Park secondary college campus enthusiasm was in the air.
“Everyone was really fired up and ready to go,” Mr Matthews said.
Now it's a matter of waiting to see if the gig at The Aussie on Sunday, August 8 can go ahead.
“Aussie owner Paul Tsorbaris is really keen. It's free entry and the band starts at 2 pm. We're just hoping for the best,” Mr Matthews said.
Hold that note — and watch this space.
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