Apollo Big Band Celebrates 25 Years Together.
2026 marks Apollo Big Band’s 25th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate a quarter of a century than with a superb performance at the Arlington Arts venue last Sunday evening..
Looking wonderfully suave in dinner suits and bow ties, the evening opened dramatically with the Mission Impossible theme. Musical Director and alto saxophone player Les Bruce introduced the different band sections in turn, each joining the opening riff until full ensemble.
The 17-piece band’s repertoire spans a wide range of jazz styles from across the 20th century, while also embracing more contemporary material, with songs ranging from the classic recordings of Frank Sinatra to the timeless compositions of Lennon and McCartney. The line-up consists of 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxophones and a rhythm section featuring guitar, piano, double bass and drums.
Kennet Radio’s Gig Central feature had promoted this celebratory event on its website in the preceding weeks, helping to raise awareness of the occasion, which attracted a large audience.
Apollo usually welcomes a guest vocalist, but this special occasion featured two talented West End performers, sister and brother Emily and Harry Apps.
Throughout the evening, Apollo played with remarkable precision, producing some outstanding solos. A particularly memorable arrangement of Lennon and McCartney’s Eleanor Rigby featured Cliff Rowley’s elegant baroque-style piano arpeggios and James Hearn’s wistful flugelhorn solo.
For an encore to complete the evening’s entertainment, Emily and Harry Apps joined Apollo for Sinatra’s The Lady Is A Tramp, complete with amusing lyrical variations.
Kennet Radio presenter Tony Christian interviewed George Wicks, one of the band’s founding members, on Kennet Radio’s GnT show back in May 2024. The programme featured several recordings by the band.
Congratulations to Apollo for 25 years of outstanding music and entertainment providing much pleasure to so many people.
More information at www.apollobigband.co.uk.