Esstee Big Band comes to Ballarat

Esstee Big Band, formed by Ballarat’s Steve Trounson over 25 years ago, will play two Ballarat shows next weekend.

The 18-piece band includes Matthew Turner on trumpet and trumpeter and vocalist Rohan Wallis, both formerly of Ballarat.

Musical director and saxophonist Scott Templeton has been a member of the band since 1997.

He, like three quarters of the band, is a high school music teachers and began playing in Estee Big Band at university. 

“The pleasure of a big band is the ultimate,” Templeton said.

“It’s rare to hear a full, proper big band live and it’s a really exciting music.

“It’s really powerful, it’s got a lot of energy.

“It can be really intensely quiet and it can be really intensely loud but I think people react to the energy.”

The likes of Michael Bublé has led a resurgence in the popularity of the big band sound, Templeton said.

The band’s two vocalists Margot Leighton and Zac Teichmann fill the boots of some of the biggest names in jazz and swing – including Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald.

“I think that audiences connect with that style of music, it’s feel good, toe tapping and people really like that kind of thing.

“I think swing music in general aims to make people to feel good and I think that’s why people like it,” Templeton said. 

Instrumental arrangements include Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus.

Esstee Big Band is made up of five saxophones, an eight piece brass section and a four piece rhythm section. 

“The 17 musicians is what gives the band its power it also makes it pretty rare because they’re expensive to hire,” he said. 

Esstee Big Band will play at Suttons House of Music on Friday, August 5 from 8pm. Tickets are $22 and will be available at the door or from the venue on 5333 4393.

Esstee Big Band will also perform at Live on Lydiard 65 at The Courthouse Theatre on Saturday, August 6 at 10pm following performances by Gathering Tide and Domino Theory. 

Doors open at 8pm and entry is free. 

For more information visit www.essteebigband.com.au or www.playfi.com.