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Calgary Herald

After 40 years, Calgary's Fox Big Band record first album live at the Ironwood

While Benack is front-and-centre, he certainly gets nuanced support from the 17-piece Fox Big Band. The early sparks of the outfit began back in the 1960s when trumpet player and bassist Doug Fox and pianist Ray Petch played in a military trio. Eventually, it morphed into a big band in the 1980s. Since then, 300 musicians have passed through the ranks. Former Calgary Flames organist Willy Joosen, who died in 2022, was once a member, as was trumpet player Al Muirhead, vocalist Claire Flynn and trombonist Hank Zandboer. Article content But Live at the Ironwood is the Fox Big Band's first recording in its 40-year history, nicely documenting a piece of Calgary history that is often overlooked. With acts such a Fox Big Band, the 9th Avenue Big Band (formerly the Prime Time Big Band) and the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, the city has been a mecca for big-band acts for years. Both 9th Avenue Big Band and Fox Big Band do monthly shows at the Ironwood Stage and Grill and they often sell out the venue. Fox Big Band will hold an album release on July 5 wiht Benny Benack III and Angela Wrigley. Article content Article content 'Big band music is a blast to play,' Morin says. 'You don't get to do it every day, because it's expensive. Because of of our focus on big bands in our school curriculums, in high schools and junior highs; because of the (Calgary Stampede Show Band( band and the Round-Up Band, there is such a penchant for instrumental performers and big-band lovers in this city unlike any other city that I've ever seen per capita. To be able to sellout the Ironwood, which is about 140 people, and to do that almost every weekend with big-band lovers who are not just (older fans), they are all ages, it's not like that in Toronto. I live in Toronto for 15 years and I'd go see some of the best big bands in the world. I'd see Rob McConnell's big band, arguably one of the best Canadian big bands of all time, and there would be 20 people there. So there is something about Calgary when it comes to big band music and we are just taking advantage of that.' Article content