Have Creative Ideas for a Jazz Band Gimmick?

Question

I'm president of a concert band that recently decided to transition from a concert repertoire to a jazz band/big band for a multitude of reasons. With the new genre of our group, we plan on marching a lot of parades over the summer and hamming it up for onlookers. However, we need a gimmick - a look/feel/story.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

You could be a new orleans style dixieland band and throw beads to the audience.

Answer 2

Well, I'm in my school's jazz band, play the bari sax, and it was the best decision ever to join it. Before I joined I had little experience playing jazz style, but they were very supportive in my first couple weeks. The other guys in it are great, and I recommend you do it....but on piano. I'm not really sure that a vibraphone is typically used in a high school jazz setting There are usually 1-2 drummers/percussionists 1-2 pianists 2-3 altos 2 tenors 1 bari 2-4 trombones 5ish trumpets a bass and a guitar But yeah, I love it, we have so much fun. It's challenging but entirely worth it!

Answer 3

feel the music and show you are having fun with it and also respect the music.. a gimmick might not work , if you find one that show respect then go for it... you could refuse to march when playing, therefore stop and play the music and then do some good marching to the beat of drum and a few notes from each artist in your band and then the band stops to play together

Answer 4

Ray Charles is a good one. My band did it last year.

Answer 5

How about everyone dressing like the Blues Brothers? Black shoes, white socks, black pants, white shirt with a black tie, black sunglasses and top if off with a black hat.

Answer 6

Jazz is jazz because it DOESN'T have gimmicks. If your going to have a gimmick, go to your old repertoire, please.