Swing Reunion Orchestra

Based in Tacoma WA
The Swing Reunion Orchestra is an exciting seventeen member big band reminiscent of the great bands of the 1930 and 1940s - the SWING ERA.

SRO's members are seasoned professionals dedicated to the flawless performance of big band music- just as it was recorded by Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Les Brown, and all the "movie stars" of swing music.

Our massive music library contains original and special arrangements encompassing a wide spectrum of big band dance music- swing, fox trot, quickstep, waltz, and a variety of Latin favorites all suited for the amateur or professional, social or international ballroom dancer- or for just listening and remembering.

Additionally, the SRO library contains hard-to-find original arrangements of classic jazz favorites by such greats as Buddy Rich, Doc Severinsen, Rob McConnell, Quincy Jones and others.

The Swing Reunion Orchestra got its start in 1991 by Clarinetist, Don Miller and Trombonist, Gary Aleshire. Well known in Northwest music circles, they gathered together top-notch musicians who were dedicated to the preservation of big bands, put together an extensive music library of 1930s and 1940s music arrangements and began weekly rehearsals to polish this massive seventeen member organization into one of the best in the Northwest. The musicians decided they wanted to adhere to the original styles of the music rather than trying to modernize them to suit their individual musical needs, and the result is an organization that performs the great music of Glenn Miller, Count Basic, Benny Goodman, the Dorsey brothers and all the other big bands of the Swing Era just as they were originally performed - just as you remember them.

Historically, most of the Swing Reunion Orchestra's performances have been for private parties. However, the band has performed regularly at many public venues in the Puget Sound area. It was the band of choice for the grand reopening of the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, and has been the band of choice for the University of Puget Sound annual Christmas Ball for nine years, the annual Grisman Bail-Room Dance Party in Olympia for eight years and the annual Steilacoom Summer Concert series for eight years.

The Swing Reunion Orchestra has also realized much success as a jazz orchestra; having been the featured band at the annual Waunna Jazz Festival for ten years and the annual Frontier Jazz Festival for seven years. Additionally, the band donates its time and talent to performing for our honored Veterans at the Orting Soldier's Home each year.

The band has a unique combination of "Old Pros" with years of experience who provide needed stability, and the "Young Guys" who provide the eager enthusiasm and nuances so necessary in any professional organization. Together they form a highly skilled, top professional organization that continues to bring the best in big band music to its audiences throughout the Northwest.