Sanctuary's Big Band Christmas

The 19-piece Compaq Big Band is going back to the ‘heart of their start’ (backstory below) with a very special holiday show debut at Sanctuary in Maynard, Massachusetts on Friday December 16th. It will be an amazing evening filled with seasonal favorites like you’ve never heard them before – exciting, inspirational, and just plain fun. Even the biggest Grinch can’t help but get in the Christmas spirit!

The show runs 8:00pm-10:30pm. Admission is $20pp in advance on-line at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/compaq-big-band-tickets-455135030127. Walk-ins $25pp as space permits. Doors Open 7:00pm. All seating is General Admission.

Sanctuary is located at 82 Main Street and features the best in Greater Boston’s bands, comedians, and more. They offer a full bar with table service, and guests are welcome to bring in take-away dinners from a selection of Downtown Maynard restaurants. There’s plenty of free parking on-street and in the nearby municipal lot.

The styles you’ll hear on December 16th run the gamut from traditional swing to very UNtraditional jazz rock, ballad, samba and jazz waltz tunes – all high-energy arrangements from legendary big band arrangers and bandleaders such as Gordon Goodwin, Count Basie, Tom Kubis, Sammy Nestico, Dave Metzger, John Clayton, and others.

Out front the band will feature exciting jazz vocalist Marina Evans channelin’ Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Linda Eder, Mariah Carey, and more. And, they’ll have as their special guest vocalist Ed Scheer of Boston’s ’The Love Dogs’ – a Sanctuary favorite!
To get a tiny sample of what you’re in for, take a listen to the Tom Kubis Big Band performing the instrumental “Joy To The World” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Tx6lZEzNo. And, for a vocal preview, check out Diana Krall and the Hamilton-Clayton Orchestra on “Jingle Bells” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SABWU6im1do.

We were postponed from our premier at Sanctuary twice in early 2022 due to Covid-19, but we’re confident that the third time is the charm!

The backstory: The band was formed at the late Digital Equipment Corporation’s Mill complex literally one block down the street, beginning as the DECbigband. That group eventually evolved into today’s Compaq Big Band. In the last two decades, they’ve risen to prominence throughout New England as one of the most accomplished full-size big bands in the region, featuring a cookin’ rhythm section and 14 horns that achieve an ultra-tight sound, with terrific instrumental soloists. To complement this high-powered ensemble, they showcase a rotation of talented jazz vocalists. While they’re faithful to traditional Swing Era classics, they really dig their chops into challenging swing and jazz arrangements played by the most approachable yet progressive big bands of the last four decades.

Currently, the Compaq Big Band remains one of the longest continuously large-format jazz ensembles in New England, having performed for hundreds of clients across the region and beyond, impressing crowds at swing dances, gala celebrations, nonprofit fundraisers, music festivals, summer concerts, and legendary Boston area jazz venues and theaters. Among the band’s many accomplishments are a 10-day/7-gig tour of the United Kingdom, producing and warming up for two sold out shows of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, playing several concerts featuring international high jazz trumpet virtuoso Wayne Bergeron, and providing the music for two Vermont Burlesque Festival grand finales.

Check out www.compaqbigband.com, www.sanctuarymaynard.com, www.thelovedogs.com, and www.marinaevansmusic.com. ‘Like’ the Compaq Big Band, Sanctuary, The Love Dogs, and Marina Evans (music) on Facebook.