Year end thoughts

I hope everyone enjoyed playing with the band as much as I did in 2009. Some of the highlights included meeting new members, learning new music, and playing for the largest swing dance crowd in our long history. The dedication you all have to the Hog Heaven Big Band is a tremendous inspiration for me. Playing with all of you is one of the highlights of my life.

Saxophone Quintet at the Palouse Mall

Here are some of the saxophones that are appearing at the Palouse Mall December 18 at 4:30 p.m. The Saxophone Quintet performs using some of Tim's collection of instruments.

His contrabass is one of the few in existence and will anchor the low end. The soprillo and sopranino take care of the high end. Baritone, tenor and alto will fill in the middle range.

December Rehearsal Dates

Joe's worried about your chops. So there will be 3 rehearsals in December. See you at the usual time and place on Dec. 7th, 14th, and 21st.

Last dance until March 2010

Want to burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories? Visiting family looking for something to do? Come to the swing dance at the Dahmen Barn this Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. This will be the last dance until March, so don't miss out!

November rehearsal schedule

November's rehearsal schedule has been posted on the band's calendar. The full band will rehearse on Monday the 9th and 23rd. The rhythm section (drums, bass, guitar, piano, singers) will get together with Patrick on Monday the 16th.

Get in your rig and come dance at the barn

You don't need to hire a limo to get to tonight's dance at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown, WA. The band will be swinging from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

Price: $8/couple; $5/single; children under 12 free.

Special set list

The Swing Devils like to dance fast so we've put together an up-tempo set list that will keep them moving all night long.

The band starts playing at 9pm. Don't miss Jump, Jive An' Wail!

Swing Night with the Swing Devils Dance Club

Moscow's premiere swing dance club, Swing Devils of the Palouse, is hosting the Hog Heaven Big Band on Thursday, Oct. 8th at the Moscow Social Club above CJ's. This is the best dance floor on the Palouse and the Swing Devils really know how to swing!

The dance starts at 8 pm with free east coast swing dance lessons. The Hog Heaven Big Band plays from 9 to 11 pm, followed by a DJ until midnight. The cost is $5 at the door.

Blow into Uniontown for some hot swing music

The weatherman is forecasting 15-25 mpg winds this evening so hoist your sails, put on your dancing shoes, and cruise on down to the Dahmen Barn for some hot swing music. The dance starts at 7:30 pm. Bring the kids and pass on your love of swing music.

We're on YouTube

The band's August 2009 performance at the Moscow Farmer's Market was videoed and posted on YouTube by Moscow Tom. Watch the band play Choo Choo Ch' Boogie.

September Rehearsal Schedule

New music, review old music, add new players, sax section changes... we have a lot to do in September! That's why Joe has called three rehearsals on the 14th, 21st, and 28th.

One More Time at the Farmer's Market

Friendship Square is the site of Moscow's farmers' market. The Hog Heaven Big Band has played at the market for many years. This year the concert will feature several members of the band including drummer Nate Spain playing Cute, and Joe Evans, trumpet, playing And the Angels Sing. Singers Anne Welchel and Solveig Miller team up for the duet, Choo Choo Ch' Boogie. Here is a complete list of the tunes you will hear on Saturday, August 8th, from 9 to 11:30 am.

Sax Section Personnel Changes

Tim and Patrick will be switching roles later this summer. The idea is to have two players that can cover the band director and lead alto sax duties. Tim will start playing lead alto and act as band director during gigs. Patrick will start playing 2nd tenor sax. The transition will take place over several months so the band can get used to Tim's directing and playing style.

Woodshed Time

Smokin' Joe has called for a couple rehearsals in August. Be there are be square on Monday, August 3rd and 17th. He wants to work on some unfinished projects and resurrect some charts.

In The Mood To Swing?

Hog Heaven Big Band will swing this coming Saturday at the Dahmen Barn from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Bring the whole family to dance or just listen to swing music from the 40's to the 90's.

Put on your Zoot Suit Riot and Go Daddy-O to get In The Mood and Fly Me to the Moon!

Here's a list of the tunes that the band will play for you.

Troy Old Timer's Day

The Hog Heaven Big Band will be performing in the Troy City Park Gazebo on July 18th from 11 am to 12:30 pm. There will be lots of fun things to do, starting with breakfast at 6 am. Here is the list of events. Hope to see you there!

Improv

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...chord changes that is.

The next rehearsal on June 22 will focus on improvisation.

Set list for Moscow Artwalk

Want to hear some swing music tonight while you're strolling around Moscow on the Artwalk? Here's the set list for tonight's performance by The Hog Heaven Big Band. We will be playing somewhere on Main Street. With a band of 16 people, it should be easy to find us!

Rehearsal Tonight

Smokin' Joe has called a rehearsal for tonight, Monday, June 8th. He wants to run through some of the tunes on Friday's set list and continue working on the new stuff.

Looking for a Couple of Musicians

The Hog Heaven Big Band is looking for trumpet and alto sax players. Contact Patrick Adams to arrange for an audition. He can be reached via phone 208-596-1795 or email patrick@hogheavenbigband.com.

U of I Summer BBQ Series

For over 50 years the U of I has hosted a weekly BBQ at the Shattuck Amphitheater. The first BBQ of the series is on Tuesday, June 24th. The Hog Heaven Big Band will provide the entertainment at the final BBQ on Tuesday, July 28th.

Tickets are limited and will not be sold at the BBQ. Tickets are available at the Student Recreation Center. Here is a poster about the event.

Moscow Art Walk - June 12th

The Hog Heaven Big Band is the featured event at this year's Moscow Art Walk. Come to Friendship Square between 7:30 and 9:30 pm and dance to music from the swing era.

Swing Dance Tonight - Saturday, May 23rd

What a beautiful way to spend a warm Saturday evening, dancing at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown, Washington. The 16-piece Hog Heaven Big Band will be playing swing music from the 30's, 40's, and up starting at 7:30pm. Smokin' Joe, Mary, Wayne, Tim, Carla, Peggy, Dean, and Patrick will be laying down some hot solos. If you like to swing, waltz, rhumba, tango, fox trot, or just snap your fingers and relive some memories of the past, come support the folks at the Dahmen Barn.

To see what's on the set list for this evening click here.

Deary/Bovill School Music Program Fundraiser

The Hog Heaven Big Band likes to support our local school music programs. This Saturday, May 16th, the band will donate its time to help make the Deary/Bovill School Music Program Fundraiser a big success.

Come to the Deary School Gym at 502 1st Ave and enjoy a spaghetti dinner, dessert, talent show, swing dancing, and some rock and roll. The dinner starts at 5:30 pm. Email Leah Dahl at lknerr@sd288.k12.id.us or call the Deary High School office at 208-877-1151 for more details.

Deary School Fundraiser Set List

Here are the tunes Hog Heaven Big Band will perform during the fundraiser at Deary School. The band plays from 7 to 8:30 pm. Dinner is provided beginning at 5:30. Setup and sound check will be after we have finished eating. Dress is formal.




Click here to print the set list.

Swing Dance in Uniontown

The 2009 swing dance season continues with a dance on Saturday, April 25th at the Dahmen Barn. Dancing begins at 7:30pm. $5 per person, $8 per couple, kids under 12 get in free.

The Dahmen Barn in located on highway 195, north of Uniontown, Washington. Call the barn at 509-229-3414 for more information.



Print the set list.

Gig roster for Palouse Habitat and Dahmen Barn

The gig roster is available here. Looks like we need a trombone player for the Dahmen Barn gig.

Set list for Palouse Habitat gig

Here are the tunes the band will be performing at the Palouse Habitat for Humanity fundraiser at the SEL Event Center. The band will be playing from 9 to 10:30 pm.







Print the set list.

Palouse Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser

Here are the details for the upcoming Palouse Habitat gig (Friday, April 17th) at SEL Event Center (map).

Setup during live auction (8 - 9 pm)
Perform from 9 - 10:30 pm
Load in through side doors (NW corner of building)
Cases go in "green room" next to side doors

We will use our own PA gear.
Dress is formal.

Moscow Farmer's Market Aug. 8th

Mark your calendars! The Hog Heaven Big Band will get you in the mood, laying down some swing, latin, fox trot, and waltz dance music at Moscow Farmer's Market on August 8th. The band will perform from 9:30 to 11:30 am in Friendship Square. There's always plenty of room to dance so come and show your stuff.

April rehearsal dates set

April rehearsal dates are set for the 6th and 13th. Usual time and place. Come see Joe's new sweatshirt.

Dip your honey and raise some money

Come join us at a fund raiser for Palouse Habitat for Humanity. The event is on April 17th at the SEL Event Center in Pullman (click here for a map) from 6 until 11 pm. The band will start playing around 8:30 pm. Here are the details.

We Salute Glen Miller

The band has started working on a new chart, Salute to Glen Miller II, arranged by Jest Hest and published by Warner Brothers. The chart contains three great tunes. The tribute begins with the traditional sax section soli and the memorable Bobby Hackett trumpet solo in "String of Pearls". Next is a ticket on the ever popular "Chatanooga Choo Choo", and then it closes with the powerful "American Patrol".

Since we are blessed with two very talented singers, Anne and Solveig, we will be adding a couple of choruses wherever possible. We call this technique SVT (Standard Vocal Treatment).

We get a lot of our charts from Marina Music, located in Seattle, Washington. They have a huge selection of charts on their website.

2009 swing dance season opens at Dahmen Barn

The 2009 swing dance season opens on Saturday, March 28th at the Dahmen Barn. Dancing begins at 7:30pm. $5 per person, $8 per couple, kids under 12 get in free. The Hog Heaven Big Band will play on the 4th Saturday of each month in 2009.

The Dahmen Barn in located on highway 195, north of Uniontown, Washington. Call the barn at 509-229-3414 for more information.

Bill's back on bari

Bill has rejoined the band on bari sax. This brings the sax line back to full strength; Patrick and Jon on alto sax, Peggy and Tim on tenor sax, and Bill on the bari sax. Come welcome Bill back to the band and hear them kick-off the 2009 season at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown, Washington on March 28th. Dancing begins at 7:30 pm.