Joe Gransden Band
(Editor’s note: We heard the other day about a musician trying to keep Big Band music of bygone days alive, and the difficulties that brought. We asked the band’s director to tell us more. His comments follow. –eeb)
By Joe Gransden
JAN. 22, 2024 | The Joe Gransden 16-Piece Big Band is becoming one of the busiest groups on the jazz scene in Metro Atlanta. Originally formed in 2012, it has continued to build momentum. The band is making appearances all around the country, as far away as California and New York City.
Gransden
Originally known for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, my singing voice has been compared to that of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra. In the 1990’s I was on the road as a sideman with the big bands of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. I was so impressed with the level of swing these bands could generate night after night! “It was such an incredible feeling that I knew I had to have my own band some day and strive to recreate that vibe!
I’m a New York native, who moved to Atlanta in the early 1990s. I now live in Roswell with my wife, Charissa, and son, Joey.
Our group is filled with some of the top jazz musicians and educators in the southeast, musical giants like Neal Starkey, bass; Lee King, lead trumpet; John Sandfort and Mike Walton, tenor saxophones; Vinnie Dagostino, baritone saxophone; Lee Watts, bass trombone; and Dr. Geoff Haydon, piano, just to name a few.
We play in a similar style to the great bands of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Miller etc…but we truly have developed our own sound. And the guys swing so hard!
I attribute most of that to the arrangements that were written by my band mates Wes Funderburk and Mike Walton! They can take hits from the Great American Songbook and bring them back to life with such energy and class! They have also arranged some of my original music! It’s such a pleasure to front a band of top musicians that can interpret these charts perfectly! These guys are the best!
The band has recorded five albums, “Songs of Sinatra,” I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “It’s a Beautiful Thing,” “Live at Cafe 290,” and “The Christmas Song”! The latest release entitled “Go Getta!” has sold incredibly well and is getting radio airplay all over the world including Seriously Sinatra channel 71 on XM Radio.
Our band is on a mission to bring more Jazz and Swing to the Atlanta area. Our goal is to keep Jazz alive and continue to expose this historic American Art form to our communities and to our children!
Our legion of fans continues to grow as well.
Smokey Robinson says: “Joe has an innate ability to connect with an audience. His singing and trumpet playing are world class. Throw in his 16 piece big band and you have something very special!”
Freddy Cole says: “Joe is an extraordinary musician and on top of that, a wonderful person and that ain’t no lie! With Joe singin’ and the band swingin’ It’s a Beautiful Thing!”
The band’s new shows will hit Gwinnett’s theaters in the upcoming months. Music-lovers can catch the band at:
- The Eagle Theatre in Sugar Hill on February 29, June 28, September 26; and December 12.
- The Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville on July 11.
- The Red Clay Theatre on December 20.
Visit our website for more information at joegransden.com.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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