Jazz Royalty: The Des Moines Big Band Plays Strayhorn & Ellington

The first Wednesday of the month, the Des Moines Big Band produces a special show highlighting a composer or performer in the big band canon. For their first show of the '25/26 season, the band will be playing music from one of the greatest partnerships in jazz history: Billy Strayhorn & Duke Ellington.
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The Des Moines Big Band was founded in 1959 and has been a driving force in the Iowa jazz scene (yes, there IS one!) ever since. Well known for hundreds of miles around, it has become a regular stop for touring artists such as Bobby Shew, Frank Perowsky, Dick Oatts, John Fedchock, Paul McKee, Richie Cole, John Mosca and Clark Terry to mention just a few.

Our mission is to present large-ensemble jazz without compromise. We regularly commission new compositions from nationally-recognized composers while still keeping the classics in the rotation. Our members are committed to high standards of performance, and we make sure that the band cooks!

We’re also committed to student musicians. We’ve worked hard to give student musicians a venue where they can hear high quality performances in an appreciative, smoke-free, family-friendly atmosphere. We also invite high-school and college bands to share the stage with us most weeks.

You may also like the following events from Noce:

• This Thursday, 11th September, 07:00 pm, Jazz on the House w/ Dave Atlemeier & Co. in Des Moines
• This Friday, 12th September, 07:00 pm, My Favorite Things: Amber Duimstra Sings w/ Her Band in Des Moines
• This Saturday, 13th September, 07:00 pm, Fly Me To The Moon: The Max Wellman Big Band Plays Sinatra & More in Des Moines

Also check out other Music events in Des Moines, Entertainment events in Des Moines, Performances in Des Moines.