Gainesville Big Band
2025–2026 Season Announcement
SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES | 2:00-4:00 PM
at
Meizon Church
3411 NW 83 St
Gainesville, FL 32606
Community big bands that perform standards and the Great American Songbook play an important role in keeping a living tradition of American music vibrant and accessible. These ensembles provide opportunities for local musicians—both seasoned players and emerging talent—to perform timeless works by composers such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin. Their concerts bring people together across generations, offering audiences a chance to experience the swing, sophistication, and shared cultural history of classic jazz. By maintaining a presence in schools, community centers, festivals, and local venues, community big bands not only preserve this repertoire but also inspire new appreciation and ensure its continued relevance in today’s musical landscape.
Season at a Glance
SUNDAY • OCTOBER 12, 2025 • 2:00 PM
Jazztober
Gainesville, FL
Kick off the season with ‘Jazztober,’ a high-energy evening of big band swing and modern jazz sounds! The Gainesville Big Band will light up the stage with timeless classics, fresh arrangements, and a powerful performance that celebrates the spirit of jazz past and present.
Gainesville Big Band Season Ticket Sale
Get 5 concerts for the price of four — just $12/show!
The Gainesville Big Band assembles some of the best professional jazz musicians spanning the Southeast. Under the direction of Marco Thomas, the GBB delivers a rich, full sound—from Basie to Ellington, Gershwin to Miller, Porter to Mercer, Vegas to Broadway hits, and today’s modern jazz and pop. Since 2007, the band has brought big band jazz to Gainesville and the surrounding areas. Featuring 18 accomplished musicians, the Gainesville Big Band has a deep passion for jazz and a commitment to presenting quality performances, inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians, and promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts. Sponsorship Info.
Gainesville Big Band Musicians
Saxophones:
Alto 1 — Ryan Gamberino
Alto 2 — Joanna Adhami
Tenor 1 — John Gregory
Tenor 2 — Brian Johnson
Baritone Saxophone — Joe Davis
Trumpets:
Trumpet 1 — Rick Marion
Trumpet 2 — Ryan Hall
Trumpet 3 — Vito Montauk
Trumpet 4 — Adrienne Widener
Vocalist: Becky Baby
Trombones:
Trombone 1 — Ethan Spencer
Trombone 2 — Michael Murphy
Trombone 3 — Jayven Cromwell
Bass Trombone — Marco Thomas
Rhythm Section:
Guitar — Darren Burgess
Piano — Pamelli Marafon
Bass — Chad Young
Drums — Jon Jackson
DIRECTOR
Marco Thomas is from Ellenwood, GA, which is a suburb of Atlanta. He is a bass trombone player who studied music education at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. His principal teacher there was Brian Brink. Thomas earned his Bachelor of Music Education in 1999 and began teaching middle school band in Hardee County in January 2000. He then entered the University of Florida in the summer of 2002, where he earned his Master of Music in trombone performance. His principal teacher there was Arthur Jennings. After graduation, he took a position at Hawthorne Middle/High School as Director of Bands (2004–2007). He began his current position as the music teacher at Williams Elementary in Gainesville during the 2007–2008 school year.
MISSION
The mission of the Gainesville Big Band, Inc. is to promote an awareness of the educational, spiritual, and civic benefits of jazz through traditional and modern repertoire.
Sponsorships include Meizon Church, Visit Gainesville / Alachua County, Hoggtowne Music, Reniassance Printing.
Sponsored in part by
Visit Gainesville Alachua County
Visit Gainesville Alachua County
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Making the scene since 2006!
Making the scene since 2006!
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