Thinkin’ Big Band returns to OBERON for another night of big band swing music with singer-songwriter Leah Rich.
An 18-piece swing band made up of graduates and students of the Berklee School of Music and New England Conservatory, Thinkin’ Big is bringing new life to big band music. Comprised of an impressive collection of New England’s most promising rising stars, the band performs classics from the American Songbook and vintage big band standards as well as a healthy dose of sophisticated originals.
Formed in 2010, Thinkin’ Big began as a way for Berklee and NEC students to showcase their own compositions and quickly grew into a dynamic ensemble that has become one of the most innovative and fresh groups playing big band music in the region. Thinkin’ Big is intent on not only keeping the spirit of big band music alive, but pushing it into new exciting directions. They have released three records, the most recent being 2015’s Kaleidoscope.
Under the guidance of bandleader/trumpeter/composer Jonah Francese, Thinkin’ Big have headlined some of the finest venues in New England, including Ryles Jazz Club, Johnny D’s and the Atlantic Wharf, as well as small tours in the Northeast and Canada including consistent shows at the Zinc Bar in NYC. With styles ranging from swing, to funk, to latin, Thinkin’ Big’s unique sound pushes the limit on traditional expectations of a big band, defying categorization to create a modern-day large ensemble.
If you like this show, check out Thinkin’ Big at the Rockport Jazz Festival this August: https://rockportmusic.org/thinkin-big/
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Leah Rich is a New York City born and raised, internationally acclaimed performance artist, whose vocal and piano playing abilities span all the way from classical music, to jazz, soul, and pop. This versatile performer has the ability to bridge gaps between genres, synthesizing her unique, urban style of music.
Throughout the years, Leah’s musical interests have evolved from simply performing others’ music to creating music of her own. At the age of sixteen, Leah was chosen out of hundreds of New York City applicants to be awarded the distinction of Best Composition at the Grammy in the Schools Songwriting Expo. Since then, she’s been composing jazz, funk, R&B, and pop tunes both solo and in collaboration with other artists.
Indeed, sharing music is Leah’s greatest ambition, be it through performance, composition, arranging, or teaching. Leah’s debut album, “Crazy Race,” is scheduled for release July 1st, 2016 at the Bitter End in NYC.