The Chesterfield Jazz & Swing Ensemble is an extension of our band, featuring approximately twenty members of our Concert Band. The Chesterfield Jazz & Swing Ensemble is made up of trumpets, saxophones, lower brass instruments, and a rhythm section which includes a drummer, Latin percussionist, pianist, rhythm and bass guitarists, and features a vocalist. The ensemble plays classic, standard, and popular Jazz & Swing selections.
The Jazz-Swing Ensemble plays in combined performances with the Concert Band when the venue is appropriate, and large enough to accommodate both bands. However, the intent is for the Jazz-Swing Ensemble to play different and separate venues; specifically those that are smaller, and for which Swing, Big Band, and Jazz music is preferred or requested.
Jazz-Swing Ensemble rehearsal follows Concert Band rehearsal at 9:00 P.M. on Monday evenings. The Jazz-Swing Ensemble is limited to 20 to 22 members, which includes the Vocalist and Director. Membership is by invitation, at the request of the Executive Board of Directors, and the Jazz-Swing Ensemble Section Leaders and Director.
Director – Les Owen
Les Owen grew up in the Richmond area and graduated from VCU with degrees in music education and saxophone. In 1980, as the first graduate assistant in the newly created VCU jazz program he played lead alto in the jazz band and conducted the second jazz orchestra as well as smaller ensembles and performed professionally with The Richmond Symphony and lead jazz groups that played in local jazz venues. In 1983 he auditioned for and joined the US Army Field Band “Jazz Ambassadors” at Ft Meade, MD. As baritone saxophonist Les was a featured soloist touring the United States.
In 1992 Master SGT Les Owen became a member of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, DC. where he performed in the Ceremonial Band and performed thousands of ceremonies to include funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, dignitary arrivals and parades. He also contributed as a vocalist and jazz saxophonist with The Army Blues to include concerts at the White House. Outside of his military career Les performed with numerous bands in the DC area and lead his own groups which performed in venues such as Blues Alley.
While a member of the Army Band Les pursued his interest in filmmaking and created his production company Treehouse Dreams Films. His skills in video production lead to Les being chosen to be the first Video Producer for The United States Army Band where he produced the award winning documentary “In China”, about the Army Band’s joint tour of China with the People’s Republic of China Army Band. He retired from the band in 2015 with 32 years of military service and recently moved back to Richmond.
Performance Schedule
12/1 Concert at First Baptist Church in Hopewell
- When Monday, December 1st at 6:30PM
- Where First Baptist Church in Hopewell, 401 N 2nd Ave, Hopewell, VA 23860 (map)
12/2 Concert at Cedarfield Retirement Community – Annual Tree Lighting
- When Tuesday, December 2nd at 7PM
- Where Cedarfield Retirement Community, 2300 Cedarfield Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23233 (map)
12/11 Concert at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
- When Thursday, December 11th at 7PM
- Where St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 7757 Chippenham Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23225 (map)
12/18 Concert at Brandermill Woods Retirement Community
- When Thursday, December 18th at 7PM
- Where Brandermill Woods, 14311 Brandermill Woods Trail, Midlothian, VA 23112 (map)
Information / Concert Booking
To schedule a concert or performance contact:
Daniella Kyriakides – Band President and Booking Manager
daniellakyriakides@gmail.com
804-921-6119