History of the Commodores Big Band

by Denis Lemon
edited by Don Reksten

Origins
    The Commodores Big Band was formed in 1975 as an offshoot of the Victoria City Police Band by a group of musicians keen to play, for their personal and public enjoyment, the big band music of Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Les Brown, the Dorsey Brothers and others. The spirit of enthusiasm and willingness to provide the public with quality music has been the key factor towards the band's longevity and success. The Commodores Big Band has always been well received and enjoys a substantial following of fans of all ages.

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-DonHauser, 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), 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

Today
    With a repertoire of over 700 musical arrangements played by a total of eighteen musicians including our featured vocalist, Clare Wynters, the Commodores Big Band has enjoyed success unmatched by any other big band locally. This success has been 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 band played over sixty engagements on the Vancouver Island Princess running from Victoria to Seattle, as well as the popular evening dinner dance cruises. At the annual Saanich Strawberry Festival and Oak Bay Tea Party, the band is a feature presentation.

Musicians Present
    The current complement is upholding the traditions and high standards set by a succession of leaders who have left their imprint on the style and personality of the band - Don Kerley, Vic Keating, John Pinchback, Bruce Ham, Marty Van der Weerd and current leader Mark Fraser. The band has enjoyed a very stable membership; band members are not only colleagues, but also good friends which is reflected in every performance providing music and entertainment in a spirit of uplifting joy.
     The featured vocalist, Clare Wynters has been with the band since 1986. She was a popular singer in England and continues that popularity in Victoria as one of thebest in the business.
    Visit or web site's (www.commodoresbigband.com)"Who Are We" page to meet all the members of the Commodores.

The collective experience of the band personnel amounts to several hundred years and every member contributes to the band's well-being. In the opinion of the longest serving members, and some have been with the band twenty years, it has never performed better or provided better entertainment.

On the Web:
www.commodoresbigband.com