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Historical Notes The Beverley Big band was formed in the autumn of 1994 by Jane Beverley and David Forbes. It was formed to play music of the Thirties and Forties in the style of the famous bands of that era, such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Initially a concert band consisting of amateur and semi-professional musicians from Herne Bay and Whitstable; performances were often for charitable causes in village halls and churches. In 1998, the band began to play for dancing which proved extremely popular, as the opportunity to dance to a big band is rare these days!. The band expanded to twenty musicians plus singers, Angie Wicks from Chatham and Colin Grainger from Herne Bay. It was time to invest in illuminated stands, portable sound amplification and dress uniforms. To fund this development it was decided to hire Canterbury's Westgate Hall and promote a series of themed "Dance Parties". The combination of Big Band Dance Music and "American Supper" catering [ guests bring their own food and drink ] proved to be a winner, and very soon a fan base of over three hundred dancers was established. Function bookings gradually materialised in larger venues such as Margate's Winter Gardens; Canterbury University; Herne Bay's Kings Hall and Broome Park Country Club. The band continued to impress playing for the Lord Mayor's Charity Ball at Higham Park; Manston Airport; Canterbury Cricket Ground; Jarvis Great Danes Hotel; Herne Bay Bandstand; Margate Theatre Royal as well as Whitstable Playhouse. The band repertoire expanded greatly, encompassing a large range of music styles to appeal to a wider audience; wedding functions and marquee-type celebrations. Young vocalist Paul Bush has recently joined the band to support Angie Wicks and 2005 marked the 10th Anniversary of the formation of what is now unquestionably the Premier Dance Orchestra in East Kent.
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