VJC Big Band

The VJC Big Band was conceived by former board president, Dr. Howard Brofsky and Sherm Fox. They put together a “reading” band that enabled area professional musicians to come together to sample big band repertoire. It has evolved into a top-notch ensemble that draws on the talent of professional musicians from within an hour’s drive of Brattleboro. The Big Band performs at our First Friday of December Scholarship Fundraiser or when gigs arise (it was featured in the 2017 Berkshire Jazz Fest with vocalist, Wanda Houston, and has performed each summer since 2020 for the Retreat Farm “Music Under the Stars” series, a collaboration with the Brattleboro Music Center). Each year the VJC hosts one or more guest artists to perform with the ensemble. The big band celebrated 20 years in 2022 thanks in great part to Fox’s persistence and organizational efforts.

The performers of the 2022 Big Band were: Evan Arntzen (guest vocals, ww), Rob Freeberg (md, tp), Don Anderson, Rick Anderson, Haneef Nelson (tp), Carl Clements, Donna Morse, Matt Steckler, Michael Zsoldos, Sherm Fox (absent), Jim Heffron (sub) (sax), Amaranth Cole, Bruce Eidem, Dave Sporny (tb), Eugene Uman (p), Wes Brown (b), Steve Rice (d).

Rob Freeberg serves as the VJC Big Band’s musical director. Freeberg led his own big band in the NYC area before moving to VT, has directed jazz bands at New Rochelle HS, all-county and all-district ensembles in NY and VT, and taught jazz classes and ensembles at Brattleboro Union HS, Bellows Falls Union HS, and the Putney School. He also directs the VJC Sextet.

Guest Artists who have appeared with the VJC Big Band:

2022 – Evan Arntzen (vocals, clarinet, saxophone). The Music of Duke Ellington
2021 – Amanda Carr and Mark Anagnostopulos (vocals)
2020 – Samirah Evans (host)
2019 – Miles Griffiths (vocals). A Tribute to Nat King Cole
2018 – Artie Shaw Orchestra Members: Sarah Hays (vocals), Matt Koza (clarinet), Kerry McKillop (trumpet), John Wheeler (trombone)
2017 – Kevin Mahogany (vocals) and Dave Stryker (guitar)
2016 – Wanda Houston (vocals). A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
2015 – Rich Greenblatt (vibraphone), Mark Anagnostopulos and Jill Connolly (vocals). A Tribute to Terry Gibbs
2014 – Rebecca Holtz and Rob Fletcher (vocals). A Tribute to Sinatra
2013 – Kevin Mahogany (vocals)
2012 – Houston Person (saxophone)
2011 – Eguie Castrill (percussion). A Tribute to Tito Puente
2010 – Amanda Carr and Mark Anagnostopulos (vocals)
2009 – Sarah Elizabeth Charles and Mark Anagnostopulos (vocals)
2008 – Scott Mullett (saxophone). A Tribute to Basie
2007 – Samirah Evans (vocals)
2004 – Rod Levitt (composer and trombonist with Gil Evans/Miles Davis)