Second Wind Jazz Ensemble

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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 November 10, 1998. 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
July 11 , 2010 (Sunday)	6:00 - 8:00 PM	Oak Hills Summer Music Series 2400 NW 153rd Ave near Oak Hills Drive	Map
July 12 , 2010 (Mon)	7:30 - 9:30 PM	Monday Margarita Madness 10321 SW Todd Court 9th Annual!!!	Map
July 18 , 2010 (Sunday)	4:00 - 6:00 PM	Newell House Museum 8089 Champoeg Rd NE, St Paul, OR	Map
September 17 , 2010 (Friday )	8:30 - 11:30 PM	Sesame Dance Club Norse Dance Hall 111 NE 11th Ave, Portland, OR	Map
Past Performances
June 13, 2010 (Sunday)	3:00 - 5:00 PM	Bethel Congregational Church 5150 SW Watson Ave, Beaverton, OR	Map
April 18, 2010 (Sun)	3:00 - 4:30 PM	Who's on Third? Woodburn United Methodist Church 700 N. Cascade Drive, Woodburn, OR	Map
July 19 , 2009 (Sunday)	6:00 - 8:00 PM	Oak Hills Summer Music Series 2400 NW 153rd Ave near Oak Hills Drive	Map
July 13 , 2009 (Mon)	7:30 - 9:30 PM	Monday Margarita Madness 10321 SW Todd Court 8th Annual!!!	Map
January 15, 2009 (Thursday)	6:45 - 7:45 PM	Rose Schnitzer Manor 6140 SW Boundary St, Portland, OR	Map
Sep 21 , 2008 (Sun)	2:00 - 3:30 PM	Who's on Third? Woodburn United Methodist Church 700 N. Cascade Drive, Woodburn, OR	Map
August 12, 2008 (Tue)	7:00-8:30 PM	Woodburn Music in the Park Library Park, 280 Garfield St Woodburn, OR	Map

Past venues for SWJE have also included:

Weddings	Gathering at the Gazebo (Scappoose, OR)
Portland Art Museum	Numerous assisted living centers
Frog Pond Church Fall Fiesta & Auction (Wilsonville, OR)	US Army Corps of Engineers party
Vernonia Salmon Festival (Vernonia, OR)	Mother's Day Dance (Bethel Congregational Church)
Multnomah Fall	Sail for the Cure
Oak Hills Fourth of July Celebration	Music at the Mount
Company Picnics

Check Us Out - Sample Sounds!

Here's the cut we sent in as our submission for the 2010 Prairie Home Companion Battle of the Bands:

Hey Pachuco! - Hot up-tempo swing, some nasty trumpet, and drums drums drums. Hey!!!

The town of Woodburn has been great to us over the last few years! Here are a few cuts recorded live in 2008 at the Who's on Third? and Music in the Park series.

Jumpin' Jack - A favorite opener for SWJE, this one cooks!	Moten Swing - Laid-back and bluesy, just like Benny Moten wrote it!
Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me - Did she do him wrong? "Nope, just misunderstood" sings Cynthia Plank.	Tuxedo Junction - Paula Bender-Baird takes us down South to that little town where they dance the night away.
Sugar Blues - So down and dirty we're almost afraid to play it for family audiences <grin>! Ron Phillips does the honors.	Sing Sing Sing - A perennial favorite, with Alex Wade on skins.

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:

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

Still More Second Wind Sound

We've also got sample of our older recordings online. Click the album covers to get to the tunes!

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!

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

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!

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.