Welcome to The SwingMasters!
Sacramento's Very Own Big Band Experience
We love to play big band music! We believe that it’s important to keep this unique American art form alive, bringing joy to young and old alike in public venues with concerts and dances, and community festivals.
Under the expert direction of Dr. German Gonzalez, we are an 18 piece ensemble performing big band music from the 1930s to the present, memorializing the legacies of great band leaders like Glenn Miller and Count Basie, and iconic vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.
To further promote big band music, The SwingMasters sponsors jazz improvisation clinics in local high schools, and we invite students to "sit in" for rehearsals and performances. We are proud to perform in support of other non-profit organizations, and we especially enjoy playing for swing dance groups.
Hearing is believing - we invite you to listen to our dynamic, "toe-tapping" sound by visiting our YouTube channel for recent videos of us in action.
Going a bit further back, The SwingMasters recorded a CD in 2015. See "Swingmasters 2015 CD" above.
To learn more about how our band can enhance your musical event, contact Brenda Johnson, Promotions Manager, at 408 679 5525 or brenlynn1@yahoo.com
AND - after you read about us, please consider donating to our cause. You can donate here - https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/organization/Swingmasters-Big-Band-Promotion-Organization
Our Venues
The Swingmasters performs for a wide variety of events:
- Charity Galas/Fund Raisers
- Business or Social Grand Openings
- Social and Corporate Events
- Wedding Receptions
- Public Concerts
- City Festivals
- Big Band Dances
- Dance Club Special Events
Our Incredible Jazz "Cats"
Our incredibly talented jazz cats truly love what they do! Many are former or current music educators and professional musicians, with experience playing with the greats such as Pete Escovedo, Gordon Godwin, Dmitry Matheny, and many more.
Some are music majors at our local colleges and universities, while others have been life long jazz as an avocation musicians - whose love of our art form shines through in every performance.
Community Service
The Swingmasters' mission includes providing opportunities for local students to play with the band, and to learn from noted experts about jazz phrasing and improvisation. Our members work with schools to promote big band music and to develop better performance facilities and equipment. We recently were the "opener" band for a joint concert with the incredible American River College big band, doing a tribute to the incomparable Quincy Jones.
We also perform at many assisted living centers and elder facilities. Many of the residents grew up with this music, and are blessed by our performances.
Donate - Help Keep Jazz Alive In Our Region
The Swingmasters' proudly participate in Sacramentos Big Day of Giving that is held every year in the middle of May. What you may not know is that donations can be collected year round - simply visit this link: Donate to the Swingmasters
Or you can easily scan this QR code to be taken to our informational donation page
Check Out Our YouTube Channel for Recent VIdeos
Swingmasters CD Recording Session
In 2015, The Swingmasters worked with Harris Center staff to produce a CD of some of our favorite tunes, which is still available for sale today.
Check out some photos of the musicians refining their craft.
BOOKING INFORMATION
To inquire about our availability and fees, please contact our Promotions Manager, Brenda Johnson, at 408 679 5525,
or by e-mail at brenlynn1@yahoo.com.
You can also leave us a message on this website by filling in this form.
Promotional Video - Check Us Out!
Looking to book our great band?
Local musical legend Grant Parker has created this wonderful short video for us that showcases our talented musicians and band