About the Band
The Commodores Big Band is based in Victoria, BC, Canada. The band is a crowd favorite on the local scene as is reflected in numerous repeat performances at the Empress Hotel, Crystal Gardens, Harbor Towers Hotel, Government House, Memorial Arena, Conference Center, Royal Colwood Golf Club, Victoria Golf Club and Arbutus Ridge Golf Club. The Commodores Big Band is a feature presentation at the annual Oak Bay Tea Party and the Saanich Strawberry Festival.
The band was formed in 1975 as an offshoot of the Victoria City Police Band by a group of musicians keen to play the big band style of music. Today the band's repertoire has grown to over 700 arrangements that include latin, swing, rock and dixieland. The band's featured vocalist, Clare Wynters is accompanied by a standard big band configuration of 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythm section. The Commodores Big Band members embrace a spirit of enthusiasm, drive and professionalism that has determined the band's success, longevity and popularity with fans of all ages.
History of Victoria's Commodores
The Coppertones
The band was originally named the "Coppertones", a reference to its Police Band origins, and shortly thereafter re-named the Don Kerley Big Band after the founding leader.
The "Coppertones" in 1975
Bass - Dave MacLean Piano-Joan Bulmer Drums - Cliff Low
Tenor - Ron Cheffins Altos - Don Hauser, Maurice Pothier
Tenor - Denis Lemon Bari - John Grindley
Bones - Dave Lee, Don Jickling, Hugh Barclay
Trumpets - Rita Vinton, Terry Jones, Don Kerley, Bruce Hurn
Upon Don Kerley's retirement from the band, it was decided to use the name Commodores Big Band in keeping with the nautical flavor of our home city of Victoria. Also in keeping with the nautical motif, a uniform of navy blue blazers, white shirts, pants and shoes.
Vic Keating leads the band aboard the Vancouver Island Princess, 1987
Musicians Past
Over the years many fine musicians have played in the band, including Hugh Fraser (trombone, piano and drums), Don Leppard (drums), the late Denis Jackson (piano and sax), the late Jimmie Waugh (one of the finest jazz tenor sax players to come this way), the late Tony Voskulen (bass), Anita Bonkowski (bass and drums), Bob Cadwallader (trombone), Chris Gosper (piano), Dr. Dave Esler (trumpet), Dr. Doug Graham (piano), Cliff Reardon (trumpet), Jan Stirling (piano) and John Grindley (alto, tenor and baritone sax)..
John Pinchback leading the band at the Oak Bay Tea Party, 1996