For over six decades, The Big Band Club Orchestra has been a vibrant part of Montreal’s cultural life, entertaining audiences with outstanding popular music from the 1940s through the 1980s. The orchestra’s story began more than half a century ago, when a group of talented young musicians came together out of a shared passion for the big band sound. In a city once filled with clubs, dances, and live music at every turn, they founded the ensemble to keep that spirit alive—a time when no event was complete without a live band.
Over the years, the orchestra has remained a constant and cohesive presence in Montreal, evolving while staying true to its roots. Made up largely of musicians who pursued music out of pure love—many balancing day jobs with faithful rehearsal—the band has consistently performed at concerts, dances, and charitable events throughout the community.
Today, the orchestra is more popular than ever, captivating both those who cherish the classic melodies and a new, younger audience experiencing the thrill of a live big band for the first time.
The eighteen-piece ensemble, with its full trumpet, saxophone, and trombone sections supported by a dynamic four-piece rhythm group, delivers swing, Latin, and ballad music as it was meant to be heard—rich, lively, and irresistibly danceable. Featured vocalist Charlotte Van Dyke brings added warmth and energy to performances of classics by icons such as Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Miles Davis, alongside gems from Antonio Carlos Jobim, Henry Mancini, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and many more.
When the band starts to play, the dance floor comes alive—a testament to the timeless appeal of the big band sound.