The Saline Big Band – formed in 1971 – has a long history of exciting performances and thrilled audiences.
With an absolutely immense repertoire of big band standards, dance tunes, contemporary charts, and modern arrangements, the group still includes a couple of original members – including director David Wolter – in its performing lineup. The group made Steve DeDoes their “first-call” pianist in 2013, and then added Mattie as lead alto in 2014.
Here is a quick video sample of the group playing the classic, “Sweet Georgia Brown” in downtown Saline during the summer of 2014 (video courtesy of The Saline Post):
In this “hand-held” video (5:05 total length), Steve DeDoes takes a piano solo at the 3:50 mark; you can hear his piano “comping” driving the band throughout the track. Mattie DeDoes, while not a featured soloist in this performance, leads the sax section tutti on the 2nd chorus. Other soloists (preceding Steve) are Dave McDonagh (bari sax), Andrew Nelson (trombone), and Joe Labuta (trumpet).
And here’s another clip from the fall of 2014. Here, the SBB’s rendition of “I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” is picked up in the middle of a Mattie DeDoes solo (video courtesy of Terri, one of our favorite listeners) —
While Mattie is obviously front & center, and Steve is on the piano at left, the boys are identifiable by the Detroit Tiger baseball caps they sport. Always Represent “The D”…