Doc Severinsen - Guardians Big Band

 Hello everyone! I realized that over the course of this blog, I have not posted about the Coast Guard Band. That is not because I didn't want to, but rather because there's not many good quality recordings on YouTube of the Coast Guard Band. I was on a mission this week to find one, and what better than to feature brass legend Doc Severinsen on a post as well. I got to hear Doc perform during my first year of college with Tennessee's Wind Ensemble and it was absolutely amazing. At that time, he was 91 and it was insane how much air he could move through the horn. he Made it look so easy, and my dad still hasn't shut up about it Haha.

Some history on the Coast Guard Band:

"The United States Coast Guard Band is the premier band representing the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security. The 55-member ensemble has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the nation, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. 

Based at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, the Coast Guard Band frequently appears in Washington, DC, at presidential and cabinet level functions on formal and informal occasions. Historic events include National Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies, the American Bicentennial Celebration with President Gerald Ford, World War II Fiftieth Anniversary events in England, and Inaugural celebrations for every President since Herbert Hoover.

The United States Coast Guard Band was organized in March 1925 with the assistance of Lt. Charles Benter, leader of the United States Navy Band; Dr. Walter Damrosch, conductor of the New York Philharmonic; and “American March King” John Philip Sousa, former director of the United States Marine Band. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed congressional legislation resulting in the Coast Guard Band becoming the permanent, official musical representative of the nation’s oldest continuous seagoing service. This event also established the Coast Guard Band as one of our nation’s premier service bands."

Doc Severinsen:

If you want to read his bio, I will link it here!

Guardians Big Band

"The Guardians Big Band is a 16-piece jazz orchestra formed from members of the larger 55-piece U.S. Coast Guard Band. Under the direction of Coast Guard Band Trombonist Chief Musician Sean Nelson, the Guardians Big Band brings the infectious joy and spirit of America’s original art form through the sounds of swing, jazz, improvised solos, and classics from the Great American Songbook."

This Piece is titled "I Want to be Happy" and it is actually an arrangement by Doc of Carl Fenton's piece of the same name! I linked it below if you want to listen!

 I love Big Band and I wish there was more of it written for the horn. I know technically big band isn't a typical brass ensemble, but I thought it was too cool to pass up. As always Doc plays amazing, and the melody is super catchy and brass heavy. I hope you enjoy!