The Junius Courtney Big Band with Denise Perrier

June 22, 2009

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    The Junius Courtney Big Band featuring Denise Perrier appears in their debut performance at Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West in Oakland’s Jack London Square on Monday night, June 22nd at 8:00 p.m.  in a special concert, “The Arrangers’ Showcase.”   This authentically swinging big band turns the spotlight on in-house jazz arrangers for one long set of sophisticated and unique portrayals of standards and originals.  Topping the arrangers’ list is the late, great Jerry Cournoyer, noted for creating complex and swinging harmonic and rhythmic innovations.  Arrangements from the late Junius Courtney, the band’s founder, Roberta Mandel, the band’s long-term pianist, Frank Fisher, trumpeter and blues-drenched godfather of the band, and others will be showcased. Vocalist par excellance Denise Perrier  and the 18-musician-entourage promise to swing down the house.
    The Junius Courtney Big Band, formed in the early 60s, has incredible swing and the heft and hue of a great jazz engine. The band has been building its enthusiastic following of cross-generational jazz fans, via steady appearances throughout the Bay Area and their unique themed performances, like the dramatic production of “The Billy Strayhorn Session,” and this spring’s  Ellington’s Sacred Concert with gospel choir and tap dancer.  Nat Courtney, son of Junius Courtney, presides as band leader from the drum kit.  George “Jazzbeaux” Spencer, trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist, is musical director.  Denise Perrier, with an international career and a stream of recordings, including her acclaimed recent CD, “The Second Time Around,” lifts the band’s musicality to the high echelons.

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