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Release Date:

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Big Band Performs at Andiamo Friday, July 6

Andiamo Hosts Big Band Night at their Dearborn Restaurant July 6

HFCC's award-winning Big Band will play Friday, July 6, at Andiamo, located at 21400 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. This event will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

'Big Band Night' at Andiamo is just the warm-up act for the HFCC Big Band, which will perform in Europe the following week from July 7 through July 16 at 'Jazz a Juan”--Europe's oldest jazz festival--in Juan-les-Pins on the French Riviera. They will share the stage with such renowned musical artists that include Norah Jones, Bobby McFerrin, Sonny Rollins and Tom Jones, as well as the London Gospel Choir, among others.

According to Rick L. Goward, HFCC director of Bands, this tour has been planned for two years and the band members have done an outstanding job of raising funds to go overseas. The concert tour will include the following performances: Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, Etang des Aulnes concert series, an open air concert in the hilltop village of Tourrette-Levens located next to Nice, and concluding with their world performance at the aforementioned 'Jazz a Juan.'

The HFCC Big Band has performed at major jazz festivals throughout the world. They have been requested to perform at the past three United States Presidential Inaugurations, including Barack Obama's in 2009. Members include young professional musicians, music educators, and outstanding student musicians.

The following musicians will perform at 'Big Band Night' and in Europe:

Paul Abbott, of Allen Park;
Pete Birchler, of Detroit;
James Bostek, of Ferndale;
John Bostek, of Flushing;
Charlie Cross, of Southfield;
Kevin Czarnick, of Taylor;
Tim Fischer, of Ferndale;
John Hartwick, of Ferndale;
Neal Kesterson, of Maybee;
Ian Kusjnir, of Dearborn;
Joe LaRussa, of Farmington;
Joe Neely, of Berkley;
Eric Shea, of Novi;
Lloyd Slaven, of Flat Rock;
Ian Stark, of Lincoln Park;
Christopher Traskal, of Detroit; and
Roger Zielinski, of Allen Park.

All but three of the musicians listed above began their Big Band Jazz experience at HFCC.

To make reservations for 'Big Band Night' at Andiamo of Dearborn, please call (313) 359-3300. To guarantee seating, please call five days in advance for dining reservations. Please make your reservations for the patio.

For further information about the Big Band’s tour and/or to make donations to defray the costs of band members with financial needs, please contact Goward via email at rgoward@hfcc.edu.