Brass Tacks Orchestra
biographical statement
About The Brass Tacks Orchestra
The Brass Tacks Orchestra is a 17 piece dance band comprised of 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, bass, guitar and drums. For more than 80 years the 17 piece "big band" has set the benchmark for optimal ensemble sound. It is a full, rich, lush and powerful sound which has been adapted to every genre of dance music - from swing to ballroom, from Latin to disco, and from Motown to rock & roll. The unmistakable sound of an orchestra fills a dance hall like nothing else can.
Two outstanding vocalists, male and female, compliment the band and show their versatility singing any style of music. In addition, we have male and female backing vocals which provide an additional layer fullness and support on many of our vocal arrangements.
The Brass Tacks Orchestra is unique in the world of working orchestras. We are not a "pick up" band where different musicians play different parts at each performance. The Brass Tacks rehearse together every week. The core members have been together for many years, including some original members who have been playing together for more than 20 years. The result is an instantly recognizable quality of sound and presence which cannot be duplicated by musicians of casual acquaintance.
We perform authentic arrangements from the big band era artists including hits from Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Count Basie and Harry James. In addition,the band’s male and female vocalists feature the best of Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick, Jr., Natalie Cole and Linda Ronstadt, to name only a few. Our varied repertoire also includes a full range of contemporary selections made popular by such artists as Garth Brooks, Santana, Gloria Estefan, Tina Turner, Brian Setzer, Bruce Springsteen as well as classic rock, Motown and soul. Because of our musical diversity, we nicely fit into just about any venue and even including weddings, concerts, and charity balls.
The Brass Tacks is well versed in all forms of Ballroom and Society Dances including fox trot, cha-cha, meringue, tango, rumba, swing and waltz. Members of the Brass Tacks are ballroom dancers themselves and fully appreciate the importance of organizing set lists to provide just the right order and variety of dances, accurate and precise tempos and the all important inner rhythms which create the “feel” that make you want to get up and dance. We have performed private ballroom dinner dances for highly discriminating dance studios throughout New Jersey.
The Band has entertained audiences at some of New Jersey’s finest venues, such as the PNC Arts Center in Homdel, the Parsippany Hilton, The Fair Lawn Pavilion in Montclair, Sea Oaks Country Club, Deal Country Club, The Mill and Doolan's Shore Club in Spring Lake Heights and several casinos including Bally’s Park Place Casino Hotel, and the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
More information about the band and bookings is available throughout our web site and by contacting us.