The General Assembly at the Dogwood Center on September 17

Sunday afternoon Jazz on tap

The General Assembly will bring their big band sounds to the Dogwood Center main stage on Sunday, September 17, at 3:00 p.m.  

The General Assembly was formed in 1971 by a group of musicians from the Ludington area. The players enjoyed the sounds of the big bands and wanted to regularly play the music long associated with such names as Basie, Kenton, Herman, Miller, the Dorseys and others. Since that time the band has performed throughout Michigan, from the Detroit area to Traverse City.

While most of these performers are not full time musicians, they all have extensive training and experience. Some are professionals who have settled down to a steadier life but continue to play for their love of the music. As musicians have left throughout the years replacements have come from a continuously larger area, with some traveling over 100 miles one way to rehearse with the group on a regular basis.

The director of The General Assembly is its lead trombonist, Tom Sheppardson, who holds Bachelor and Master's degrees in music education and has an extensive performance background, ranging from Dixieland jazz to the symphony orchestra. He has performed with such notables as Louis Armstrong, Max Roach, The Temptations, Bobby Vinton, Henry Mancini, Peter Nero, and many others.

While many groups may say they have a “big band sound,” The General Assembly is not just a combo playing old songs. It is a full 17 piece orchestra with female vocalist performing the best of the old and new in music for dancing and listening.

This main stage concert begins at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets are $12.50 and are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont.
​
The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.   For information, phone 231.924.8885.

​