New Horizons Big Band of Portland

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The New Horizons Big Band of Portland was founded in 2013 by Brad Davis and Suzanne Short.

 

Brad and Suzanne played together on the “The Let's Dance Band” and big band music was their passion. They wanted to re-introduce playing in a big band to former high school and college band members of any age. The New Horizons Big Band of Portland was born.
 

A resident of Vancouver, Washington, Brad has many years of professional experience playing with and leading big bands. His credits include extensive touring and high profile performances with Lee Castle (Jimmy Dorsey Band), Norman Lee, Eddy Howard, Al Pierson, Roberto Griego, etc. Brad played lead trumpet and traveled the world with the US Army bands. He also played in Las Vegas for two years. Since relocating to Portland in 1999, he has played with many bands and has been featured in Vancouver’s Bravo, Pressure Point, Let’s Dance Band, besides forming and leading his Kansas City Rhythm Kings Big Band, Bridgetown Big Band, KCRKings Variety bands, and Brass at 4. He has been ‘first call trumpet’ to many touring shows playing in Portland including “King and I”, “Showboat”, and “The Lion King.”

Suzanne managed the Let's Dance Band for many years and started New Horizons band in Mesa, Arizona  She has played keyboard with big and small bands in Oregon & Arizona.  She founded Swing Sensation,  which appeared all over Washington and Oregon as a 1-5 piece band featuring dance music, ballroom dance music and the big band sound. That band has now merged with the Kansas City Rhythm Kings. Suzanne is also Manager for the Kansas City Rhythm Kings. 

For those wishing to have an exceptional experience at the community level playing Big Band Music, I would urge you to play with Brad Davis.  I have personally observed him in rehearsal and found him to be quite knowledgeable. 
 
Dr. Edward Higgins, Director of Wind Ensembles
Portland State University School of Music &
Artistic Director and Conductor, Portland Wind Symphony

Our Mission

The Mission of the New Horizons Big Band of Portland is to keep big band music alive and make this music available to be heard by the public.
 
We are a community band - a supportive group that's a great fit even if you haven’t played since high school or college...or you haven't played with a big band before ... or if you just want to keep up your chops.
 
  • You rehearse weekly
  • You perform regularly
  • You get tips from seasoned players
  • You learn to play jazz & “swing style”
  • You learn how to play your instrument with more confidence and accuracy

Member Testimonials

My wife told me that Suzanne was looking for musicians that may not have played since high school for a band she was forming. So a few days later Suzanne asked me if I was interested and I said sure I will do it. I remember some of my best memories of school were from playing in the band and going to concerts.
 
I didn't own an instrument so I bought a used instrument and started to practice. Playing an instrument is not like riding a bike. I didn't remember anything. I had to learn to play like a beginner and learn to finger each note again. But I now enjoy practicing and plan to learn more about music and the instrument than I did in school. I heard one of the best things you can do for your brain is to play an instrument, so this should also be great for my mental health.  This band has changed my life. -- Bill Tyson