Second Wind Jazz Ensemble

Second Wind Jazz Ensemble was formed with one basic realization: Nothing's better than enjoying the saxes-and-brass sounds of Big Band arrangements … except playing those great arrangements! By day we're teachers, pipefitters, accountants, engineers. By night, we've been helping to keep the Big Band sound alive in the Portland area since 1999. Glenn Miller's classic charts, the swinging sounds of Duke Ellington, lush ballads, a little bossa-nova, the jump swing of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy- if it makes us smile and say "Oh yeah!" we'll play it. Come spend an evening with us - whether you boogie the night away on the dance floor or just kick back and tap your feet, we think you'll have a good time, too.

The swinging sounds of SWJE are perfect for benefits, music series, dances, private parties, festivals, fund raisers, retirement parties, corporate events - you name it, we've played it. We have formal or informal dress to suit your occasion, and will play indoors or out (weather permitting). Whichever setup you choose, Second Wind Jazz Ensemble has the vocal hits and instrumental favorites that will keep your audience satisfied and grooving!

(Click any photo for larger version)


Upcoming and Recent Performances

Date Time Event Location Help
Near the Solstice
(TBD Mon)
7:30 - 9:30 PM

Monday Margarita Madness
10321 SW Todd Court
7th Annual!!!

July 20, 2008
(Sun)
6:00 - 8:00 PM Oak Hills Summer Music Series
2400 NW 153rd Ave near Oak Hills Drive
August 12, 2008
(Tue)
7:00-8:30 PM

Woodburn Music in the Park
Library Park, 280 Garfield St
Woodburn, OR

Past Performances
Mar 16, 2008
(Sun)
3:00 - 4:30 PM

Who's on Third?
Woodburn United Methodist Church
700 N. Cascade Drive, Woodburn, OR

Dec 2 , 2007
(Sun)
2 - 4 PM

Portland Community Wind Band Winter Concert
PCWB opens the concert with 45 minutes of exciting wind band music, followed by SWJE jazz

Grant High School Auditorium

 
Nov 10 , 2007
(Sat)
7 - 9PM

Frog Pond Church Fall Fiesta & Auction
6750 SW Boeckman Road, Wilsonville

Map

Oct 13 , 2007
(Sun)
6:30 - 9 PM

Wedding (Private Party)
Portland, OR

 
Oct 6 , 2007
(Sat)
Noon - 2PM

Vernonia Salmon Festival
Hawkins Park (at end of Park Drive just off Bridge St)
Vernonia, OR

 
Aug 12 , 2007
(Sun)
6:00 - 8:00 PM Oak Hills Park
153rd Ave north of Cornell Road
Aug 3 , 2007
(Fri)
7-9 PM

Gathering at the Gazebo
Heritage Park, 52469 SE 2nd St, Scappoose, OR

July 30 , 2007
(Mon)
7:30 - 9:30 PM

Monday Margarita Madness
10321 SW Todd Court
6th Annual!!!

July 17 , 2007
(Tue)
7:00-8:30 PM

Music in the Park
Library Park, 280 Garfield St
Woodburn, OR

July 11 , 2007
(Wed)
7:30-9 PM

Gladstone Somerset Assisted Living
8360 Cason Rd
Gladstone, OR

June 19 , 2007
(Tue)
6 PM

"The Woods" Assisted Living
4398 Glencoe St. NE
Salem, OR

Mar 18, 2007 (Sun) 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Woodburn United Methodist Church
700 N. Cascade Drive, Woodburn, OR

Jan 13, 2007
(Sat)
1-3 PM

US Army Corps of Engineers
(private party)

Nov 11 , 2006
(Sat)
7 - 9PM

Frog Pond Church Fall Fiesta & Auction
6750 SW Boeckman Road, Wilsonville

Map

Oct 11, 2006 (Sat) Noon - 2:00 PM

Vernonia Salmon Festival
Vernonia, OR

Aug 2, 2006 (Wed) 6:30 PM

Gladstone Somerset Assisted Living
8360 Cason Rd
Gladstone, OR

July 23 , 2006
(Sun)
6:00 - 8:00 PM Oak Hills Park
153rd Ave north of Cornell Road
July 17 , 2006
(Mon)
7:30 - 9:30 PM

Monday Margarita Madness
10321 SW Todd Court
5th Annual!!!

July 8, 2006 (Sat) TBD

Private Party

 
May 13 , 2006 (Sat) 7:00 - 9:00 PM
(Dance instruction @ 6:30)

Mother's Day Dance
Bethel Congregational Church
5150 SW Watson Avenue
Beaverton, OR

Free admission; benefit for improvements to Christian Education Building

Map

Nov 12 , 2005
(Sat)
7 - 9PM

Frog Pond Church Fall Fiesta & Auction
6750 SW Boeckman Road, Wilsonville

Map

July 24 , 2005
(Sun)
6:00 - 8:00 PM Oak Hills Park
153rd Ave north of Cornell Road
 
July 11 , 2005
(Mon)
7:30 - 9:15 PM Monday Margarita Madness
10321 SW Todd Court
 
July 8 , 2005
(Fri)
7:00 - 9:00 PM

Gathering at the Gazebo
Heritage Park, Scappoose, OR
(Take Hwy 30 to Scappoose, turn right at the light at SE Maple [first street past Steinfelds & across from the Middle School], then left on 2nd Street.)

July 4 , 2005
(Mon)
7:30 - 9:30 PM Oak Hills Park - Fireworks!
153rd Ave north of Cornell Road
 
June 19 , 2005 (Sun) 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Multnomah Falls
(outdoors beside the visitors center)

 

 

Sample Sounds

Here are a few cuts from some of our recordings. Click the album covers to get to the tunes!

Still Breathing

Recorded November 23, 2002 at Southminster Presbyterian Church on behalf of South West Music School. Not the best recording quality (we had a couple of mikes waaaaay back in the room), but still fun!

   

A Breath of Fresh Art

Recorded May 21, 2003 at Portland Art Museum on the occasion of the American Museum Association convention.

   

Hyperventilating: Deep Breaths at Oak Hills

Recorded September 12, 2004 in Oak Hills park in Portland. Come swing with the band on an Indian summer evening!

Photos: South West Music School Benefit Concert

On November 23, 2002 the Second Wind Jazz Ensemble wowed 'em at Southminster Presbyterian Church on behalf of South West Music School, and even looked pretty dang good doing it.  Here's the pictorial proof.

 

Booking the Band

Second Wind Jazz Ensemble plays both formal and informal events, both indoors and out. Pricing is negotiable and highly reasonable. For more information on booking the band for your event, contact:

Wayne De Vore 503-557-1896
Steve Tolopka 503-292-3996
email secondwind@tolopka.com