Five Reasons Why You Should Meet Grand Junction’s ‘Swing City Express’

Do you enjoy Big Band music? Do you consider it a remnant of a bygone era? Are you of the opinion a Big Band is something found only in large cities? It just so happens Grand Junction is home to a such a group. Meet the Swing City Express.

The Commons of Hilltop hosted another hugely successful Valentine's Day dance last Saturday (February 10). Once again the event featured Clark Gault's Swing City Express. Just how many people are in that band? The group consists of 14 members - four saxophones, four trumpets, three (sometimes four) trombones, piano, bass, and drums.

If you love to dance, this is the way to go. Why should you make the effort to catch this band? Here are five solid reasons:

• Big Band music is awesome... and timeless. (That's not to say it doesn't have a meter. Rather, it never gets old.)
• Big Band is instantly associated with "class"
• There's usually a major and very cool event associated with a Big Band concert.
• This is polished, and at times, very complex music.
• It's something you don't get to see "live" every day.

The lineup of the band is something of a Who's Who of Colorado. The band leader is Clark Gault, a former member of the Norad Band, an internationally recognized composer and arranger. The band also features Scott Betts, Charlie Sweet, Rob Labig, and Frank Bregar.

Where will you find the Swing City Express? They're out there, kind of like a superhero; you never know when they're going to drop in.