Abu Dhabi Big Band

The Band's Repertoire

The band plays a variety of Jazz, Swing and Latino melodies composed by well known composers and arrangers such as Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, George Gershwin, Glenn Miller, Neal Hefty, Chuck Mangione, Tito Puente and Santana among others.
Examples of our repertoire include:

In The Mood
Glenn Miller's signature tune ‐ the quintessential big band swing number. Guaranteed to get the nostalgic vote at any party.

Birdland
Hypnotic jazz‐rock from Weather Report. One for the Jazz buffs in the audience.

String of Pearls
Another swing classic from Glenn Miller. Features some great dynamics and solo passages.

Soul Bossa Nova
The Quincy Jones dance floor number featured in the Austin Powers' movies. Groovy baby!

La Bamba
Richie Valens' old Mariachi tune. "Para bailar la Bamba se necessita una poca de gracia" ‐ "To dance La Bamba you need to have a little grace."

Autumn Leaves
Jazz standard based on the old French song "Les feuilles mortes". The old season‐as‐relationship metaphor to a bossa beat.

Mack the Knife
"Oh the shark has pretty teeth dear, and he shows them pearly white...." Macabre jazz vaudeville from Brecht & Weill, covered by Ella and Louis.

Brazil
Straight from the Sambadrome down to Abu Dhabi. Big band samba in the batucada style.

Don't Get Around Much Anymore
The Duke Ellington classic, an anthem of new parents everywhere. Sung with gusto by ADBB vocalist Sinead Keane.

Oye Como Va
The Tito Puente classic, popularized by Santana, played in the son montuno style. Featuring some blistering trumpet solos. Con cojones!

Just the Way You Are
Billy Joel's bossa nova as featured, most appropriately, on The Muppet Show.

Mambo Swing
Energetic timbale‐driven arrangement of the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy tune.

Here, There and Everywhere
Reflective Lennon/McCartney classic from the Revolver album. Subtle and poignant.

Moondance
Mystical blue‐eyed soul from Van the Man, rearranged in a swing style.

It's in his Kiss
AKA The Shoop Shoop Song. Poppy girl band favorite, most memorably covered by Cher.

How High the Moon
The jazz standard covered by Benny Goodman and Nat King Cole. Provided harmonic inspiration to Miles, Charlie Parker and even to Giant Steps.

Amarillo
Four‐on‐the‐floor party romp guaranteed to get the dance floor moving.

Summertime
"...and the living is easy." Subtle swing version of the Gershwin lullaby from Porgy and Bess. Simultaneously sad and comforting.

Car Wash
"You might not get rich...but it's better than digging a ditch...at the carwash." 1970s funk favorite from the eponymous film.

I Get a Kick out of You
The Cole Porter standard from Anything Goes.

Valerie
The Zutons' modern classic, reworked by Amy Winehouse's producer Mark Ronson.

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Iconic WW2 song about an attractive bugle player. Features virtuoso trumpet and scat vocals.

ABBA Medley
An end of the evening floor‐filler featuring favorites such as Mama Mia, Money Money Money, Fernando and Dancing Queen.

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Jim Croce tune about a soldier who goes AWOL. Played as an up‐tempo shuffle.

New York, New York
As immortalized by Ol' blue eyes. Another one for the final moments of the party.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Abu Dhabi Big Band
• ADBB
• Jazz
• Swing
• Latino
• Funk