ABOUT FABB

Getting to Know FABB

FABB's band members are a diverse bunch, united by a love of jazz music. Ages range from 15 to "over 70" - it's great to see younger joiners developing fast: several of them have moved on to study music at music college, university and even playing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO).

We have some professional musicians in our ranks, including our Musical Director. They bring their own musicianship, arranging skills and useful connections in the local music community.

In each of the FABB sections (trumpets, trombones, saxophones/reeds and rhythm section) we have players able to improvise tasty solos. And other band members get the chance to develop their improvising in rehearsal and performances.

FABB maintains a full Big Band line-up for all performances and for rehearsals wherever possible. That means that we don't "double up" on instrumental parts but we do use deps to fill in for band members who are unable to attend. Often new band members may start by deputising and then join on a permanent basis when a space becomes available.

FABB don't have a formal system of auditions for new members, but usually start with a couple of trial rehearsals. We recommend a playing ability of Grade 6 or equivalent, an interest in jazz and a fair level of reading music.

FABB Repertoire

FABB plays a wide variety of big band / jazz music using the authentic arrangements. The style of music ranges from swing era (e.g. Count Basie, Glenn Miller), through jazz classics (e.g. Duke Ellington, Thad Jones), Latin (e.g. Tito Puente) to funk and modern jazz (e.g. Mingus, Mintzer).

Here are just a few examples from our current set lists - we have more than 200 arrangements to choose from to suit every occasion:

Swing

Take the A Train (Ellington)
A String of Pearls (Miller)
April in Paris (Basie)
Sing, Sing, Sing (Goodman)
Hot Toddy (Heath)

Male Vocals

New York, New York
I've Got You Under my Skin
Beyond the Sea / La Mer
Witchcraft
Mack the Knife

Jazz

All Blues (Miles Davis)
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Mingus)
Sidewinder (Lee Morgan)
Stolen Moments (Oliver Nelson)
Birdland (Weather Report)

Female Vocals

This Train
That Old Devil Called Love
Swing My Thing Back Around
Route 66
Cry Me a River

Latin

Oye Como Va
Manteca
Brazil
Sway
Jive Samba

Films, TV & Shows

Theme from Shaft
The Pink Panther (Mancini)
Skyfall (Adele)
Soul Bossa Nova (Austin Powers)
Theme from the Family Guy

FABB History

Farnham Big Band was formed in 2001 by Ken Stubbs, alto saxophonist and inspirational teacher. It began as a workshop band, exploring the repertoire and helping local musicians to develop their ensemble and improvising skills. We have always used the standard big band line-up and played authentic arrangements from the libraries of the great Jazz Orchestras.

When Ken emigrated to live in Australia, FABB set up a committee to carry on with weekly rehearsals under a succession of professional Musical Directors (MDs). Each MD has been an experienced jazz instrumentalist (saxophone, drums, trumpet, trombone so far) and has introduced FABB to new music and new challenges.

Over the years we have performed in different settings across Surrey and Hampshire, bringing big band music to appreciative audiences at parties, charity concerts, weddings and festivals.

FABB the early years (2005)

Rehearsals

FABB rehearses on Thursday evenings during school term times in the Music School at More House School, Frensham. We set up from 7:30pm and play from 7:45pm to 10:00pm with a short break half way through.

Rehearsals are led by our Musical Director who guides band members to get the most out of our chosen arrangements, so that each instrumentalist understands the appropriate style and how to play in a section and as part of a jazz orchestra. We play a wide variety of big band / jazz music using written arrangements, but with opportunities for those who want to take improvised solos.

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