ENOUGH ABOUT US, LET’S HEAR WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT US.

December 7, 2021 by Pat Murphy Leave a Comment

“I did receive and listen to your CD of the ‘infamous’ Lithuanian set. That is a fun disc! Thanks so much for sending it. And the music was excellent. It’s hilarious, joyous stuff. All the best, “

Andy Senior, Publisher and Editor, The Syncopated Times

“I am looking forward to the remastering of all 16 of your albums. Some old farts like me will be able to play CD’s, but my latest car didn’t even come with a CD player! Instead it comes with blue tooth setting sot play music from my cell phone or Kindle.”

“Want to listen to ‘the most joyous sound invented during the entire course of 20th-century music’? Put on some New Orleans jazz.”

Ted Giola, Author, “How to Listen to Jazz”

“Thank you very much for Live at the Nugget CD! I enjoyed it very much and have played it at least four times. Wish I could have been there to see it live. The CD, WOW! What a production. The background colors chosen make reading the typed information very easy. Gorgeous color combinations and the label side of the CD is nothing short of spectacular. My compliments to whomever chose the color scheme and combinations. This disc is the best I have seen of a commercial product in a long time. Congratulations, you did an incredible job. It is excellent in every way. I’m very impressed.” — RB, Recording Engineer, Michigan

Regarding Live at the Nugget!: “It’s great. Love all of your CDs. Our very, very favorite is Unleashed (NRB #14). Wow!” — Sally Bolle, Director, Greater Detroit Jazz Society

NRB Jazz at Shields

January 17, 2020 by David Oppermann Leave a Comment

Saturday, February 1st,

1:00pm to 3:30pm

25101 Telegraph Rd (at 10 Mile RD) Southfield, MI 48033

The 50th Anniversary Celebration of the New Reformation Jazz Band (NRB)

Cast of All Stars

Trumpet: Dave Tatrow, Otisville

Trombone: Terry Kimura, Howell

Clarinet: Dave Bennett, Waterford

Banjo/Guitar: Dave Kadwell, Grand Rapids

Drums: John Hill IV, Swartz Creek

Tuba: Chris Smith, South Lyon

Piano/Leader: Dave Oppermann, Saginaw

$10 entertainment charge at the door.

(Do not call the Shields for reservations.)

Questions: Sally Bolle 248.909.8668

NRB is 50! Holey Moley!

January 1, 2020 by David Oppermann Leave a Comment

Important Announcement.

(Cue the fanfare, please.)

2020 won’t be like anything you’ve enjoyed with NRB in the past 50 Years!

Band photos. We’ve got millions, and we want to share.

Understand what you’re getting yourself into in 2020.

The New Reformation Band (NRB) jazz repertoire encompasses Dixieland, ragtime, blues, big band, and swing… the hot music that lifts spirits. It delivers beautiful harmonics reinforced by a beat that sets toes tapping. It’s true. It’s been unscientifically proven. (We watch the crowds at each live gig. As we play, toes are bouncing all over the place.)

NRB was formed in 1970 during a cold Michigan winter. Seven musicians gathered in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church in Saginaw in a shocking yet highly successful effort to enhance the service with jazz. All of the musicians had played “jazz” before, just not in church, and not with each other. With the exception of the Brothers Oppermann — on piano and banjo — most were shaking hands for the first time.

This was not to be a daunting task. The tunes selected were from the hymnal, and so recognizable even those slackers who rarely attended a service knew them.

The chief instigator was the church’s youth minister, Pastor Gary Miller. During his Saturday night vigils in this industrial community, the “Rev” would visit the bars… especially those with music… with the admirable goal of offering counsel and support to “lost souls.” But he always had his trumpet under his arm in case there was a chance to sit in.

50 years later the NRB is still having a great time performing, and people keep calling to schedule gigs. 2020 is our 50th year. This site is becoming the home of our history.

Tatrow is Our Hero

November 26, 2018 by Pat Murphy 2 Comments

Dave Tatrow, longtime frontman of NRB, recently was recently honored with the Sonny Award for 2018, a national recognition for his active support of trad jazz and the students keeping it alive and vibrant.

“The “Sonny” award by Suncoast Jazz Classic, is named after Sonny LaRosa, who worked tirelessly to keep jazz alive through musical training and performance. For three decades, Sonny LaRosa’s “World’s Youngest Jazz Band” inspired and entertained young and old, on local and international stages. Many students continued their training through college and are now respected artists in their own right. They enhance Sonny’s legacy by training the next generation of jazz musicians.

Congrats, Dave, from all your bandmates.

DETAILS:
Suncoast Jazz Classic, Inc., is dedicated to preserving jazz (the only true American art form) through an annual festival and events, providing opportunities for aspiring young musicians, and giving back in the form of financial assistance to young musicians, bands and schools.