Previously known as The Len Cooper Big Band, the band has enjoyed a huge resurgence since the arrival of Jan Modelski as Musical Director in 2016 and has gained an increasing reputation in Chester’s live music scene. With an extensive and versatile library of big band, soul, jazz and pop repertoire, both instrumental and vocal-led, the band have played gigs at a variety of the area’s finest venues including Storyhouse, Chester Cathedral and Cholmondeley Castle. In 2023 the band were delighted not only to be asked to perform as the opening act at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, but also to be crowned winners of their competition category at the Eisteddfod later the same week.
Many of the band’s members are musical professionals themselves, and enjoy the challenge of playing advanced big band repertoire with the aim of playing semi-professional and professional gigs.
Country representing: England
Have you been to the Llangollen Eisteddfod before? Yes – 2022 and 2023
Where and how often do you rehearse? Wednesdays 20.00 – 22.00, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Chester
Do you have any interesting stories about your group? We were the winners of the very first Community Band competition at Eisteddfod 2023 🙂
How would you best describe your group? A group of amateur and semi-professional musicians who enjoy playing big band repertoire to a high standard – and love to entertain!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterBigBand
Facebook Handle: @chesterbigband
Instagram Handle: @chesterbigband
