One of the most popular big bands in Chicago during the 1980's and 90’s was the Déjà Vu Big Band. Now, several veterans of that group have come together once again to form the Stardust Big Band.
Led by award-winning composer-arranger Jon McGahan, the Stardust Big Band is dedicated to promoting and continuing the jazz traditions as practiced by Maynard Ferguson, Neal Hefti, Bill Holman, and Quincy Jones among others. This 13-piece ensemble combines inventive writing with vibrant solos by some of Chicago's finest big band practitioners.
The Stardust Big Band often appears as a 10-piece Jazz-Rock group, blending straight-ahead jazz with 1970’s Rock and Funk elements.
For smaller venues, we also offer a six-piece instrumental group, the Stardust Sextet, bringing audiences the “cool” West Coast sounds of the 1950’s and beyond.
The Stardust Big Band and The Stardust Sextet take their musical influence from the classic jazz of the 1950’s and 1960’s, a time when martinis were in, class was where it was at, and bands like Count Basie, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich were taking the world by storm.
The Stardust Big Band has been the house band at both Cafe Touché in Edison Park and Romano's in Park Ridge, and played to enthusiastic audiences at local venues such as The Abbey, Red Line Tap, Crimson Lounge, The Horseshoe, Red Kiva, Wise Fool’s Pub, Reggie’s, World of Beer, downtown Evanston’s “It’s Thursday-Let’s Dance!” series, and the Chicago Hot Dog Festival.
For more information on the Stardust Big Band and The Stardust Sextet, along with a selection of audio and video samples, please visit us at:
http://www.reverbnation.com/stardustbigband
or call (773) 564-0881

And remember… Jazz is supposed to be FUN, and we’ve got the band to prove it!