History

In its 34+ years, the New Reformation Band has given thousands of performances worldwide, playing traditional jazz, considered by many to be America's only original art form. Since its first performance at a Saginaw, Michigan church, the band has played its 'joyful sound' at national jazz festivals; with US symphony orchestras; on cruise ships; in arenas and concert halls; at supper clubs and show lounges; hotels and resorts; expositions, fairs and festivals; golf, yacht, and country clubs; colleges and universities; as well as hundreds of worship services in churches of many faiths.

The band was founded on February 10, 1970 by the Oppermann Brothers and Reverend Gary Miller for a single performance at Saginaw's First Congregational Church. Today it is recognized as one of the country's leading classic jazz groups and has appeared from coast to coast, in Europe, the Caribbean, and South America.

Over the years, the NRB has produced 15 critically acclaimed albums which are being enjoyed by fans everywhere. The band's 20th and 25th anniversary concerts were videotaped at Saginaw' s Heritage and Temple Theaters respectively, and subsequently telecast across the United States, including most major markets, on the PBS Television Network.

The band has been an audience favorite at dozens of North American classic jazz festivals in:

Arizona (Arizona Classic Festival)
British Colombia (Chilliwack Dixie Jazz Festival, Victoria's TerrifVic Jazz Party)
California (Dixieland Monterey, Eureka's Redwood Coast Jazz Festival, Fresno Mardi Gras, Indian Wells New Year Jazz Festival, Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival, Mammoth Lakes Festival, Orange County Classic Jazz Festival, Pismo Beach Jubilee-by-the-Sea, Redding's Mount Shasta Jazz Festival, Sacramento Dixie Jubilee, Three Rivers Jazzaffair)
Connecticut (Greater Connecticut Jazz Festival)
Florida (Sun Coast Jazz Classic)
Idaho (Sun Valley's Swing-n-Dixie Jazz Festival)
Illinois (Central Illinois Jazz Festival)
Indiana (Elkhart Jazz Festival, Indiana Jazz Festival)
Iowa (Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival, Burlington Steamboat Days, Cedar Basin Jazz Festival)
Michigan (Bayview's Terrace Inn Jazz Weekend, Flint's King Cobra Jazz Festival, Muskegon's Seaway Jazz Festival, Schuss Mountain Jazz Festival, Traverse City's Olde Towne Jazz Festival)
Missouri (Gateway Jazz Festival, Lake of the Ozarks Jazz Festival, St Louis Ragtime Festival)
Montana (Helena's Montana Trad Jazz Festival)
Nevada (Reno's Nugget Dixieland Festival)
Ohio (Central Ohio Jazz Festival at Columbus, EarlyJas Festival at Strongsville)
Oregon (Coos Bay Clambake, Medford Jazz Jubilee, Oregon Dixieland Jubilee at Seaside)
Washington (San Juan Island Festival at Friday Harbor, Ocean Shores Festival)
Wisconsin (Capital City Jazz Festival at Madison).

In the "legitimate realm" the NRB has guest starred with dozens of symphony orchestras from East to West, including the North Carolina Symphony, the Erie and Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Symphonies; the Grand Rapids and International Symphonies of Michigan; the Elgin (Illinois) Symphony; and the Odessa Symphony in Midland, Texas.

The universal popularity enjoyed by the NRB emanates from its versatile and talented gang of seven musicians, all of whom contribute instrumentally, vocally, and humorously. There are no wallflower introverts allowed in this eclectic mix of musical masterminds, and audiences delight in the spontaneous combustion of repartee and music produced by these guys. Featuring the founding Oppermann Brothers and five 'superstar' sidemen, these seven friendly fellows, whose enthusiasm and wit is ever present, provide an entertainment experience most memorable.