The Abu Dhabi Big Band was formed at the end of 2007 to provide an opportunity for locally resident jazz players to perform as a group. Our vision is also to introduce audiences in Abu Dhabi, other emirates and the whole Gulf region to the rich, diverse and versatile Big Band sound. Most importantly, our key aim is to have a permanent Big Band in the multicultural city of Abu Dhabi.
The ADBB numbers over twenty multinational musicians, among them vocalists, seven saxophonists, five trumpets, four trombones, keyboards/piano, guitar, bass, drums and percussion. Our band is also a cosmopolitan affair, with members representing, amongst others, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, USA, Sweden, Lebanon, India, France, and Venezuela.
The Band’s Repertoire
ADBB play a variety of jazz, swing and popular modern melodies composed by well known names such as Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and Glenn Miller 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, Louis, Sinatra to mention just three! |
| 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. |
