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Known for his musical versatility and ability to make directly communicative connections with audiences, JEFFREY POLLOCK has led orchestras across North America, including those of Charlotte, Detroit, Houston, Nashville and the Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, as well as Canada’s ensembles in Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and Niagara.
Currently is his third season as Music Director of Ontario’s Sinfonia Ancaster, Jeff is quickly expanding the orchestra’s audience base and reputation through his innovative and original concert programming. The 2023-24 season includes guest conducting appearances with the Georgian Bay and Windsor symphony orchestras.
A sensitive accompanist, Jeff has performed with virtuoso artists Zuill Bailey, Angela Cheng, Jennifer Frautschi and Conrad Tao. While Associate Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Resident Conductor of The Toledo Symphony, he collaborated with a variety of internationally renowned performs, including Roberta Flack, Nanci Griffith, Wynnona Judd, Natalie MacMaster, Pink Martini, Randy Newman and Arturo Sandoval. In 2001, Jeff was chosen by the League of American Orchestras as a featured conductor for its prestigious National Conductor Preview.
It was a true joy to present the first iteration of‘Jeffrey Pollock’s Big Band Bash’ with the Niagara Symphony. The program offers a wide variety of beloved jazz and swing classics, and Jeffrey Pollock provides an engaging commentary and well researched history into the music. Leaving the hall, many patrons commented that they loved the show’s ability to educate and showcase the breadth of talent within the orchestra - even the oboist had some featured moments! This is a great chance to feature the local jazz players in your community.
Todd Morgan, Production & Operations Coordinator
Niagara Symphony Orchestra (ON, Canada)
February, 2023
The show is jam-packed with great hits from the swing era – nothing but the best of that golden time of big band style. Jeffrey’s rapport with the orchestra was great! The audience simply loved the whole concert and left the hall wanting more – just what you want for a Pops show!
Valerie Sylvester, Concertmaster
Niagara Symphony Orchestra (ON, Canada)
February, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed playing the ‘Jeffrey Pollock’s Big Band Bash’ concert with guest conductor Jeffrey Pollock. Jeffrey brought deep understanding, energy and passion for the big band genre that captured our audience and musicians alike! Truly a ‘feel good’ show! Bravo!
Charlene Nagel, Principal 2nd Violin
Niagara Symphony Orchestra (ON, Canada)
February, 2023
‘Jeffrey Pollock’s Big Band Bash’ is a high energy show that will thrill audiences of any ages. Jeffrey had an informative and entertaining rapport with everyone. The repertoire from the magical swing era is presented in a fresh way while preserving the original arrangements and authentic performance styles. A ‘must-see’!
Douglas Miller, Principal Flute
Niagara Symphony Orchestra (ON, Canada)
February, 2023
As a long-time member of the Niagara Symphony, I’ve performed numerous Pops shows, featuring a wide array of genres and styles. However, the presentation of ‘Jeffrey Pollock’s Big Band Bash’was an unparalleled and uniquely memorable weekend for the orchestra and audience members alike. With his impeccable choice of charts, Jeffrey has taken us back into the glorious Golden Big Band Era, and left no stone unturned. His rapport with the audience was remarkable, as he was informative, funny and insightful, and, as a conductor, his commanding knowledge of the tunes was simply brilliant. As the featured soloist in the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto, I truly appreciated his sensitive and responsive conducting throughout the piece, and it would be a great honor to be part of his dazzling show once again.
Zoltan Kalman, Principal Clarinet
Niagara Symphony Orchestra (ON, Canada)
February, 2023
The presentation of‘Jeffrey Pollock’s Big Band Bash’ was a true audience favourite. One audience member who had never been to the NSO left saying that he didn’t realize that symphonies were so much fun! Amazing big band sound and the virtuosity of Clarinetist Zoltan Kalman had the audience on their feet, reacting with thunderous applause. Definitely the highlight of the Pops series!
Cathi MacDonnell, 2nd Bassoon
Niagara Symphony Orchestra (ON, Canada)
February, 2023
| 2/11/2023 (7:30pm) 2/12/2023 (2:30pm) |
NIAGARA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (ON, Canada) Partridge Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Center (St. Catharines) Jeffrey Pollock’s Big Band Bash: “In the Mood” |
| 10/20/2023 (7pm) | SINFONIA ANCASTER (Hamilton, ON, Canada) Ancaster Memorial Arts Center Beethoven: Symphony #6 |
| 10/28/2023 (7:30pm) | GEORGIAN BAY SYMPHONY Eastridge Community School (Owen Sound, ON, Canada) “A Halloween Fright Night” |
| 11/30/2023 (7:30pm) | WINDSOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS (ON, Canada) Our Lady of the Assumption Church Handel: Messiah |
| 12/1/2023 (7:30pm) | WINDSOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS (ON, Canada) Leamington United Mennonite Church Handel: Messiah |
| 12/3/2023 (7:30pm) | WINDSOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS (ON, Canada) St. Anne’s Church Handel: Messiah |
| 12/15/2023 (7pm) | SINFONIA ANCASTER (Hamilton, ON, Canada) Ancaster Memorial Arts Center “Home for the Holidays” |
| 3/8/2024 (7pm) | SINFONIA ANCASTER (Hamilton, ON, Canada) Ancaster Memorial Arts Center Shaw: Entr’Acte |
| 5/10/2024 (7pm) | SINFONIA ANCASTER (Hamilton, ON, Canada) Ancaster Memorial Arts Center Mendelssohn: Calm Sea & Prosperous Voyage |
JEFFREY POLLOCK’S BIG BAND BASH
Instrumentation & Technical Requirements
Instrumentation composite: 3332 - 4431 5 sax, tympani+1, bass, drum kit, piano,
guitar (optional), strings
Special Notes:
- 5 saxes = 2 alto, 2 tenor, 1 baritone (One chart calls for 3 altos and 2 tenors, but the baritone sax player should be able to double alto for this. One other “Band” chart has both also players doubling on clarinets; these clarinet parts can be covered by the orchestral clarinets.)
- The show requires a strong lead trumpet player. There is a lot of playing and a great deal of it is in the high register.
- Improvisation - The following instruments will be required to improvise:
Clarinet 1 (player also has several high solos)
Tenor Sax 1
Trumpet 1
Trumpet 2
Trombone 1
Drum Kit player
Bass
[Trombone needs a Solotone mute. Other bass mutes needed: Straight, Cup, Plunger]
Show Structure:
An important feature of this show is that seven of the charts are for Big Band only; these charts are interspersed throughout the show. Orchestra musicians remain seated on the stage and can enjoy listening. Audiences will really hear the difference when the orchestra joins in for the Big Band/orchestra charts – the “Really Big Band” as Mr. Pollock calls it.
Production Needs:
Micing and sound mixing is required – stand-up bass, strings and winds. A solo microphone is used for players if there is an extended and highly featured solo.
Artie Shaw’s Clarinet Concerto:
Should the orchestra wish to feature its Principal Clarinetist in this great Big Band Era concerto, the music can be rented from www.wisemusicclassical.com