Gainesville Big Band
Starts 2026 with
Mardi Gras Celebration
SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 8, 2026 • 2:00 PM
A Big Band Mardi Gras Celebration
Meizon Church
Gainesville, FL
3411 NW 83rd St, Gainesville, FL 32606
$15 + fees (advance online)
$20 + fees at the door (credit card)
No fees for cash at the door
This concert explores the rich musical traditions that define Mardi Gras in New Orleans, tracing how jazz, brass band music, and second-line rhythms became central to the city’s most celebrated cultural event. The program highlights the role of street parades, social aid and pleasure clubs, and neighborhood brass bands in shaping a sound that is both deeply rooted in history and constantly evolving.
Audiences will hear vibrant jazz arrangements and brass-driven selections inspired by classic New Orleans parade music as well as contemporary interpretations that carry the tradition forward. The repertoire includes well-known and lesser-heard New Orleans favorites such as “Freedom” by Jon Batiste, “Uptown Boogie” by Delfeayo Marsalis, and “All on Mardi Gras Day” by Dollis Boudreaux, alongside other foot-stompin’ selections that reflect the city’s long-standing parade and street music traditions. The program also features music connected to modern ambassadors of the New Orleans sound, including Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste. Together, these works reflect syncopated rhythms, call-and-response phrasing, and the deep groove that gives Mardi Gras music its unmistakable character.
Performed by the Gainesville Big Band, this Sunday afternoon concert on February 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM offers a lively and informative musical journey, capturing the celebratory spirit and enduring influence of New Orleans on American jazz.
Season at a Glance
SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES | 2:00–4:00 PM
SUNDAY • APRIL 12, 2026 • 2:00 PM
Jazz 101: Tribute to Tony Bennett
Gainesville, FL
SUNDAY • JUNE 14, 2026 • 2:00 PM
Sounds of Summer
Gainesville, FL
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: Timothy Trail
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, 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.
ABOUT Gainesville Big Band
The Gainesville Big Band is an 18-piece jazz ensemble based in North Central Florida, dedicated to preserving and presenting the big band tradition while engaging today’s audiences with fresh, themed programming. Since its founding in 2007, the ensemble has brought together experienced musicians from across the region to perform music ranging from classic swing and jazz standards to contemporary big band works.
Under the direction of Marco Thomas, the Gainesville Big Band presents concerts that spotlight key styles, composers, and cultural movements within jazz history. The ensemble places emphasis on musical excellence, education, and community engagement, offering performances that are accessible, informative, and musically rewarding.
Through regular concert series and special programs, the Gainesville Big Band continues to strengthen the cultural life of the Gainesville area while honoring the lasting legacy of American jazz.
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.
GAINESVILLE BIG BAND CONNECTIONS
Sponsorships include Meizon Church, Visit Gainesville / Alachua County, Hoggtowne Music, Renaissance Printing and the following community individuals: Rosella Smith, Roger Reep, Wesley Eubanks, Jon Reiskind, Kelly Harris, Jack Siegel, and Jim Heiser. To join these community cultural leaders as sponsors, click
HERE for more information.
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Making the scene since 2006!
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