If you've been to any event around Shepton in the last 30 years, the chances are you'll have – at some point or another – enjoyed some tunes played by Shepton Mallet Big Band.

The Shepton Mallet Big Band started as a local saxophone jazz quartet specialising in music from the 30s, 40s and 50s, but soon grew into a Big Band.

The band today is a vibrant group of about 20 enthusiastic musicians in a standard line-up of saxophone, trumpet and trombones, with guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocalists. 

The band's repertoire includes music from the golden big band era of the 1940s, including Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Louis, Ella and Sinatra and also contemporary funk and soul style music such as pieces by Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Imelda May. The members are keen to bring live instrumental and vocal music of all kinds to everyone. 

Recent events have included appearances at the Queens Jubilee beacon lighting, the Bath and West Show, the Barton St David Carnival, Shepton Mallet Church Fete and the band has in the past provided music for suppers, parties, dances and other events around the county.

Since April, the band has been managed by Tony Scragg.

He said: "I've been managing the band since April this year when the previous manager retired. I have been with the band as the bass player for over 15 years though and treasurer for 12 years as well as looking after our technical requirements and live sound, so all in all it keeps me quite busy! Clare Sydenham, our long term keyboard player, has taken on the Music Director since April so this year has felt like the start of a new season for the band."

"The Shepton Mallet Big Band is a bit like Trigger's Old Broom in that it just seems to keep going, albeit with a steady change of personnel over the years. There are still a few of the very early members but it's also great to welcome in some new faces. We are a friendly bunch that enjoy playing for pleasure and we try to make everything fun, but we do try out some challenging material at times to develop our musical skills.

"Players need to be of a good standard, being able to read music and understand a wide range of styles, such as; swing, latin, funk and rock. An ability to improvise solos is also a bonus. At the moment we are looking for a couple of trombone players to join the line-up."

Shepton Mallet Big Band rehearses every Monday evening in the Binegar Memorial Hall and welcomes enquiries from event organisers and local musicians wishing to join the band.

You can find the Shepton Mallet Big Band on Facebook and Instagram. You can contact Tony by emailing [email protected].

Shepton Mallet Big Band's next performance will be at Binegar Village Hall on November 12. Find out more HERE