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Cal Poly Collegians Alumni Big Band to Play at Madonna Inn Aug. 29

The Cal Poly Collegians Alumni Big Band will celebrate its 48-year reunion with a performance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Madonna Inn Ballroom in San Luis Obispo.

The ensemble of 20 musicians will recreate the swinging sounds of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Les Brown and other big bands of the 1940s through the '60s. The program of big band jazz and swing is perfect for dancing or listening. 

Cal Poly music major Troy Hanson, bass — winner of the 2014-15 Cal Poly Collegians' Jazz Scholarship — will join in the performance.

The alumni band is comprised of Cal Poly graduates from the late '40s to the early '60s who travel to San Luis Obispo from throughout California, Arizona, Oregon and Massachusetts for the reunion concert. The band — predecessor to today's acclaimed University Jazz Bands — was founded in 1937 by then Music Department Head Harold P. Davidson.

The alumni band has performed at a variety of local venues on the Central Coast over the years, including at the Madonna Inn Ballroom since 1999.

Admission to the performance is free; voluntary contributions to Cal Poly's Collegians Jazz Scholarship are welcome.

The Collegians draw a full house every year, and seating is guaranteed only for those who make a reservation and dine in the Steak House. Non-diners who wish to dance or listen are accommodated on a first-come basis. To make dinner reservations at the Madonna Inn Steak House, call 805-543-3000.

For more information about the performance, email Collegians member Bob Alberti at rea@bibliotherapy.com or call Cal Poly’s Music Department at 805-756-2406.

For more information about the Cal Poly Collegians Alumni Big Band, including historic photos, visit the group's website.

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