Stardust Memories Big Band fills Naples & Bonita Springs parks with ‘big’ music

The Stardust Memories Big Band has returned for its seventh season, performing outdoor, evening concerts in Cambier Park in Naples and Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. The band plays the music of the legendary American big bands including Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Doc Severinsen and many more.
Remaining shows for the 2021 outdoor schedule consist of five different theme-based shows, each of which is performed in Naples (Monday nights) and in Bonita Springs (Tuesday nights).
The 10 remaining performances are.
“Sammy Nestico/Quincy Jones” on Feb. 8 (Naples) and Feb. 9 (Bonita)
“A Sentimental Evening” featuring Michelle Amato on Feb. 22 (Naples) and Feb. 23 (Bonita)
“Woody Herman” on March 1 and 2
“Count Basie” on March 22 and 23
“Best of the Season by Request” on March 29 and 30
See the band’s remaining 2021 outdoor schedule on the “Shows” page of their website www.stardustmemoriesbigband.com
All shows are from 7 to 9 p.m. The band requests a $5 per person suggested contribution per show.
COVID protocols for our outdoor concerts (as long as they continue to be in effect)
In accordance with City of Naples and City of Bonita Springs requirements, audience seating in the park will be socially distanced by markings on the park grounds:
Cambier Park, Naples – two chairs may be placed within the white circles that can be seen on the park grounds.
Riverside Park, Bonita Springs – two chairs may be placed next to the orange flag markers that can be seen on park grounds.
The band is the vision of founder and band leader Craig Christman, and brings together some of Florida’s finest jazz musicians (Naples, Fort Myers, Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando and Miami). These working professionals have a collective resume that includes The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (which is currently led by The SMBB saxophonist Terry Myers), The Woody Herman Band (led by Woody), The Si Zentner Big Band, The Chick Corea World Tour, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Airmen of Note, and performances with artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Doc Severinsen, Quincy Jones, Johnny Mathis, Nathalie Cole, Steve and Eydie Gorme, Nat King Cole, Ann Hampton Callaway, Tom Jones, Lou Rawls, Barry Manilow, The Temptations, The Four Tops and numerous orchestras and Broadway shows.
The band’s primary mission is to provide the highest quality big band entertainment available to audiences in SW Florida.
For 2021, the band will continue its mission objective of providing direct financial support to Music for Minors Foundation, and The Music Foundation of SW Florida. These two local area non-profit organizations provide instruments, summer training camps, and scholarships to young, aspiring musicians from our local schools.
To learn more about the Stardust Memories Big Band, visit online at www.stardustmemoriesbigband.com