Hello friends, fans and members of the Pitt Meadows community!
We regret to inform you that due to a questionable weather forecast for this evening and the extensive need for electronics use with the big band, we are begrudgingly making the call to cancel our final Summer Serenade performance of 2024.
We have so appreciated everyone’s support of the summer 2024 series, and look forward to more events in the year to come. Keep an eye on the website for performance/show updates! You can also join our community group for updates: The Bruce James Orchestra on Facebook, or follow our organization’s page: Bruce James Orchestra – Vancouver Big Band.
We are already making plans for next summer, so hope you all continue to come out and support live music in your community.
HUGE THANKS to the City of Pitt Meadows, Mayor & Council and of course – all of you – our fans- for your support.
Have a great rest of your summer, and we look forward to seeing you at a future performance!
Warm regards,
Bruce, Andrea and all the members of the Bruce James Orchestra
The Bruce James Orchestraand musical guests will be back in Summer 2024 at šxʷhék̓ʷnəs (Spirit Square) 11985 Harris Rd, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B5 !
Join us on Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm July 3 to August 21, 2024!
Bring a lawn/camping chair, blanket and snacks to enjoy over the backdrop of amazing live music at this free community summer concert series!
Family and pooch friendly event!
In the event of rain, performances will be cancelled. The Bruce James Orchestra website will be updated by 5:30PM day of notifying of any cancellation due to inclement weather.
Join the Meridian Jazz Orchestra – sister community jazz ensemble of the Bruce James Orchestra Vancouver Big Band – for the final night of our summer 2023 concert series. Next Wednesday, August 23rd, bid farewell to summer with the best of big band at Spirit Square Pitt Meadows, 7-9pm. Bring a camping chair, some grub, drinks, some bug spray [mosquitoes have been joining in for the show, too] 🙁 and your dancin’ shoes! The ice cream truck will be on site, too! Spirit Square is gonna SWING! Last one of the summer, folks! Let’s make it BIG!
Based on multiple weather forecast sources, MERIDIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA IS ON this evening, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 – 7-9PM at Spirit Square, Pitt Meadows!
Look forward to seeing everyone out for some live music this evening!
The Bruce James Orchestra is honoured to be invited back to the TOWNSITE JAZZ FESTIVAL!
We will be sharing the stages of the festival with many amazing performers, and have two of our own featured events on Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th, 2023.
Both of our events feature one of Canada’s top Lead Trumpet players – Vancouver-based Commercial Trumpeter and Endorsing Artist at Yamaha Canada – Mr. Michael Kim. The Bruce James Orchestra is excited to have him join us!
Check out the Townsite Jazz Artist and Event Line-Up here:
Hello friends and fans of the Bruce James Orchestra!
Partnering with the City of Pitt Meadows, the Bruce James Orchestra is pleased to host the 2022 Summer Serenade Concert series in beautiful Spirit Square, Pitt Meadows. We, and the City of Pitt Meadows, gratefully acknowledge that we live, play, share community and perform on the traditional territories and ancestral lands of the Katzie First Nation, and thank them for sharing these lands with us.
All performances are Wednesday evenings (7-9pm) – July 6 – August 24, 2022.
In the event of rain, performances will be cancelled. This website (as well as the City of Pitt Meadows website) will be updated by 5:30PM day of notifying of any cancellation due to inclement weather.
We look forward to bringing live music to the Community of Pitt Meadows for our 12th season!
SUMMER SERENADE 2022 –SCHEDULE OF PERFORMERS:
July 6, 2022: Bruce James Orchestra
The Bruce James Orchestra is a 19-piece Big Band “Bringing the Best of Big Band” to B.C.’s Lower-Mainland. Our ensemble has been providing exceptional big band/dance band music in the Vancouver area since 1999. We perform a variety of big band arrangements from the classic Big bands of the 1930’s such as Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Count Basie through the “crooner” hits of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, to the sultry sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, to present day swing classics from artists such as Michael Bublé, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Harry Connick Jr and pop and rock hits from Artists such as Chicago, Stevie Wonder and Spyro Gyra – just to name a few! The band performs for events such as dances, weddings, anniversaries, jazz clubs, pubs, fundraisers, corporate events, concerts in the park, and jazz vespers. We are an ensemble which prides itself on excellence – not only in our music, but in showmanship; we incorporate energy and flare in our shows, and incorporate rehearsed choreography in our musical selections. We come equipped to be costumed in formal black tie and gown wear, military tans with wedge caps and our standard uniform – our “swing era” look complete with fedoras, suspenders, swing shoes and our signature blacks with yellow ties. The band has been a musical presence in the Greater-Vancouver area for the past 22 years, and are always open to new performance opportunities.
The Bruce James Orchestra is honoured to be able to be the “host” band for the Summer Serenade 2022 Concert Series in beautiful Pitt Meadows, and thanks the City of Pitt Meadows, Mayor and Council for their hospitality. The band also extends gratitude to the Katzie First Nation for sharing their unceded traditional territories and ancestral lands where we live, work, play, perform and bring together community through music with the people of Pitt Meadows and beyond.
Catch us at Spirit Square July 6, July 20, August 10 and closing the series on August 24, 2022!
A dynamic force in the Vancouver musical sphere, the Allegro Trio has mastered a unique blend of pop, jazz, rock and soul favourites. Performing repertoire ranging in musical styles and through the decades, the Allegro Trio performs musical hits at their finest! Featuring the smooth, sultry and sometimes sassy vocals of Loralee Parks, the piano and vocal stylings of Craig Zurba and the rhythmic artistry of drummer/percussionist Chris Murray Driver, this will be a performance not to miss. Come ready to sing along, and bring your dancing shoes!
Join Vancouver vocalist LJ Mounteney with the Undercover Band for an amazing night of music at Spirit Square, Pitt Meadows for Summer Serenade 2022! A busy performer – both on screen (film and TV) as well as in live music venues all around the lower mainland, LJ’s skill and versatility as an artist is showcased in her performances across multiple genres including Jazz, Blues, Bossa Nova, and R&B. You’ll hear classic musical hits, as well as songs from her albums “Here in the Dark” and her newest release, “Mama Danced.” She – and the Undercover Band – are excited to perform for Pitt Meadows’ Summer Serenade 2022.
August 3, 2022: Double Overtime –Soul/R&B/Rock ‘n Roll
Double Overtime has been on the Metro Vancouver scene for decades. We’ve played promotions, special events, fundraisers, corporate parties, private parties, weddings, and more. What sets us apart from the rest is our versatility, energy and showmanship. Don’t be fooled by some of the grey hairs – Double Overtime is very experienced at providing a tight, high-impact show with wow-factor and groove to get any audience moving.
The calibre of the musicians means that we really can play anything. Sure, our specialty is Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, Chicago, Van Morrison, Commitments, and soul and R&B hits of that variety… but Bruno Mars? No problem. Elvis? Uh-huh. Black-Eyed Peas? Nailed it. With the talent in this group, we can do all your favourite dance hits from the 60s to present day.
Double Overtime looks forward to bringing the groove to Pitt Meadows August 3, 2022!
August 17, 2022: James Thorhaug Rhythm and Blues/Classic Rock Band
The James Thorhaug Band plays the blues, mixed with a little soul jazz, swing, surf, and some funk for a hot stew of tasty covers and cool originals. The band emerged from the local Greater Vancouver blues scene, hosting jam sessions and playing in a wide variety of different bands. After working with literally hundreds of blues musicians over the years, from raw blues rockers to seasoned jazz pros and beyond, the band has become a tight unit, showcasing their blues knowledge and experience. They look forward to boogie-ing with the lovely people of Pitt Meadows August 17th at 7pm!
Location: Spirit Square – Pitt Meadows – 11985 Harris Rd. All shows start at 7PM!
Bring a lawn chair, blanket, $ for snacks, friends, family and your dancin’ shoes!
July 14: Diane Lines Quartet
Offering selections form her hit show, “Diane Lines’ Jump!”, a celebration of 40’s and 50’s era swing, boogie-woogie, and jump blues music – Diane and her band (Sam Ellington – vocals, Tony Chamberlist, percussion, Tim Porter, guitar) will be bringing the swing to Pitt Meadows Summer Serenade July 14 at 7pm.
Diane Lines received her musical education at the Banff School of Fine Arts, the Humber School of Creative and Performing Arts in Toronto, and at Cleo Laine and John Dankworth’s Wavendon Music Program in England.
Diane has been playing keyboards and singing with Canada’s “King of Swing” Dal Richards and his Orchestra (now the Dal Richards Tribute Orchestra) for the last 10 years and is featured on 4 of Richards’ albums: The Swinging Years; Dal Richards and Friends, Dal Richards: One More Time, and the soon to be released Keep on Swingin’. Diane was also the pianist for Grammy nominated Michael Bublé for two years
Away from home, Diane has performed on six continents and has appeared with a variety of entertainers including; Les Brown, Jim Walker, Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, Jim Byrnes, Joani Bye, Rolf Harris, Alfe Zappacosta, Bria Skonberg, Amanda Wood and Shari Ulrich.
July 21: Bruce James Orchestra
The Bruce James Orchestra is a 19-piece Big Band “Bringing the Best of Big Band” to B.C.’s Lower-Mainland. Our ensemble has been providing exceptional big band/dance band music in the Vancouver area since 1999. We perform a variety of big band arrangements from the classic Big bands of the 1930’s such as Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Count Basie through the “crooner” hits of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, to the sultry sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, to present day swing classics from artists such as Michael Bublé, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Harry Connick Jr and pop and rock hits from Artists such as Chicago, Stevie Wonder and Spyro Gyra – just to name a few! The band performs for events such as dances, weddings, anniversaries, jazz clubs, pubs, fundraisers, corporate events, concerts in the park, and jazz vespers. We are an ensemble which prides itself on excellence – not only in our music, but in showmanship; we incorporate energy and flare in our shows, and incorporate rehearsed choreography in our musical selections. We come equipped to be costumed in formal black tie and gown wear, military tans with wedge caps and our standard uniform – our “swing era” look complete with fedoras, suspenders, swing shoes and our signature blacks with yellow ties. The band has been a musical presence in the Greater-Vancouver area for the past 22 years, and are always open to new performance opportunities.
The Bruce James Orchestra is honoured to be able to be the “host” band for the Summer Serenade 2021 Concert Series in beautiful Pitt Meadows, and thanks the City of Pitt Meadows, Mayor and Council for their hospitality. The band also extends gratitude to the Katzie First Nation for sharing their unceded traditional territories and ancestral lands where we live, work, play, perform and bring together community through music with the people of Pitt Meadows.
Catch us at Spirit Square July 21, August 11 and closing the series on August 25, 2021.
July 28: James Thorhaug Rhythm and Blues Band
The James Thorhaug Band plays the blues, mixed with a little soul jazz, swing, surf, and some funk for a hot stew of tasty covers and cool originals. The band emerged from the local Greater Vancouver blues scene, hosting jam sessions and playing in a wide variety of different bands. After working with literally hundreds of blues musicians over the years, from raw blues rockers to seasoned jazz pros and beyond, the band has become a tight unit, showcasing their blues knowledge and experience. They look forward to boogie-ing with the lovely people of Pitt Meadows July 28th at 7pm!
August 4: Linda Szentes and JazzLinks
Linda Szentes and Jazzlinks is a jazz combo made up of friends who are alsoaccomplished, improvising musicians. Linda’s rhythm section includes Michael Toth, guitar, Johan Worst, bass, and Zoltan Kollar, drums.
Warm and blues oriented, their sound is distinctive and they groove as one! Linda is an accomplished and versatile singer in many genres who has loved and listened to jazz throughout her life. She is a musician and a singer: combined with her lyrical, flexible voice and rhythmic sensitivity ,she is a natural improviser.
This group successfully interprets a wide repertoire-vocal and instrumental jazz hits from the 20’s/30’s to the 70’s-and a diversity of styles within the genre: classic jazz standards, swing era tunes, blues-inflected jazz, latin/bossa and 70’s funk. The group also loves jazzy pop tunes and will treat you to their favorite Beatles and Bacharach selections.
Recent projects include a tribute to Doris Day and Anita O’Day called “What a Difference a Day Makes”; Jazzlinks opened up North Delta’s new Arts Centre with this tribute show in February2020.Post-Covid, the group has hosted two very successful Livestream concerts, one of which was generously sponsored by the Abbotsford Arts Council as part of the Mill Lake Music series.
August 11: Bruce James Orchestra
August 18: Double Overtime – Soul/R&B/Rock ‘n Roll
Double Overtime has been on the Metro Vancouver scene for decades. We’ve played promotions, special events, fundraisers, corporate parties, private parties, weddings, and more. What sets us apart from the rest is our versatility, energy and showmanship. Don’t be fooled by some of the grey hairs – Double Overtime is very experienced at providing a tight, high-impact show with wow-factor and groove to get any audience moving.
The calibre of the musicians means that we really can play anything. Sure, our specialty is Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, Chicago, Van Morrison, Commitments, and soul and R&B hits of that variety… but Bruno Mars? No problem. Elvis? Uh-huh. Black-Eyed Peas? Nailed it. With the talent in this group, we can do all your favourite dance hits from the 60s to today.
Double Overtime looks forward to bringing the groove to Pitt Meadows August 18, 2021!
August 25: Bruce James Orchestra (Last Show of the Series)
