Vermont’s premier big band has been in the moonlight, stage light, and often limelight for 37 years now. The ensemble has performed for hundreds of weddings, jazz clinics, school assemblies, benefits, concerts, television scores, and recordings. Thousands of hours of regular rehearsals with seventeen musicians, some of whom have been with the band since its birth in 1976, have led to an impressive resume.

Performances have included appearances with jazz trombonist Dennis Wilson of the Count Basie Orchestra and many of the Lawrence Welk stars in Grandstand Shows at the Champlain Valley Exposition Fair in Essex Junction. Vermont Jazz Ensemble has played at inaugural balls for Governors Snelling, Kunin, and Douglas, and for many “First Nights” in Burlington & Rutland.

The original idea of assembling an ensemble like VJE came about as early as 1974 when some of the current members observed there were too few opportunities available for musicians to express themselves through this type of group. VJE has grown to include over 350 associate members who substitute superbly for the regular and charter members when they must miss an event. And, as agreed upon back in 1976, the group still gets together to rehearse and “jam” every two weeks.

Tickets: Adults $25, Students $5 at SummerMusicAssociates.com, Chamber of Commerce, Morgan Hill Book Store, Tatewell Gallery, 526-8234, or at the door. Seating is not reserved. For more information, call 526-8234.