Tracy Wells Big Swing Band
One of the busiest big bands in Southern California, the Tracy Wells Big Swing Band has developed an enthusiastic following of fans from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Corporate events, private parties, public dances, summer concerts in parks and malls, and winter holiday celebrations augment the regular bookings of the band in hotels and clubs. In addition to the extensive programming variety that includes the best big band literature of today, the repertoire features hundreds of exciting re-creations of the Big Band Era's "Great Moments in Swing" as performed by Count Basie, Harry James, Glenn Miller and others. The band's roster is filled with impressive resumes and national reputations, making the Tracy Wells Big Swing Band one of the very few authentic, top-calibre big band organizations in Southern California.
LEADER
Tracy Wells – A Long Beach resident,Tracy is a transplanted Midwesterner from Quincy, Illinois. In earlier years he led big bands at the U.S. Naval Academy and at the University of Missouri. Later in Southern California he was featured with the Johnny Ricardo Latin band, free-lanced with jazz groups, vocal groups, and led other bands. Tracy is a trumpeter, vibraphonist, vocalist and arranger.
VOCALIST
Ginger Berglund – Contributing her excellent voice to the band’s variety in programming and complementing the band’s swinging styles with her polished performances of ballads, swing, and jazz – even in foreign languages – Ginger reflects her extensive experience in theater, opera, other bands and jazz groups.
RHYTHM SECTION
Gerry Schroeder, Piano – Pianist-conductor for Luci Arnaz, Joey Bishop, Vic Damone, Four Freshmen, Shirley Jones, Leslie Uggams, Peggy Lee, and more. Pianist with Jack Sheldon, Charlie Ventura, Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin, Long Beach Municipal Band
Frank DeVito, Drums - Long stints with Terry Gibbs and Tex Beneke. Frank Sinatra recordings. Frank has performed with many of the top bands and is always in demand, a fixture at the ”Sweet & Hot” Music Festival
Doug MacDonald, Guitar - Performed with George Shearing, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, Buddy Rich, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, recording artist, bandleader
Ernie Nunez, Bass – Performed with George Shearing, Tex Beneke, Toni Tennille, Henry Mancini, Peter Marshall, Les Brown, show orchestras and studios.
SAXOPHONE-REED SECTION
Kim Richmond – composer, arranger, leader of his own 22-piece recording jazz orchestra, concert soloist, Grammy award nominee and former member the Stan Kenton, Les Brown, Louis Bellson, Billy May orchestras, Kin leads the saxophone section
Charlie Orena – Ray Anthony, Buddy Childers orchestras, Mel Torme, Maureen McGovern, major film, soundtrack albums, Budweiser commercials
Bob Efford. - the “hot tenor man” with the great British band of Ted Heath, Bob has also performed with Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Bill Holman, Ray Anthony and more, outstanding skills for all woodwinds
Bill Jurney – Billy May, Jerry Gray, Vaughn Monroe orchestras. Ringling Bros. Circus Band, studios, shows, recordings, Southern California free-lance
Fred Peters – Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Civic Light Opera, Ringling Bros. Circus Band, recording studios, music educator.
TRUMPET SECTION
Darrel Gardner – lead trumpet, also an arranger and conductor, has been a stalwart with the Les Brown band for years, and has worked with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and others
Pat Mullen – Americus Brass Band, Pacific Brass ensemble, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, LA Jazz workshop, Disneyland Band, movie soundtracks, recordings, shows
Steve Stassi – Modernaires show, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra/Bill Tole, Al Martino, Frankie Lane, Temptations, cruise ships
Dan Bryan – Bill Berry’s LA Big Band, Cap Pierce Juggernaut, Ray Anthony, Les Brown orchestras.
TROMBONE SECTION
Charlie Morillas – Artie Shaw, Jack Sheldon, Tom Kubis, John LaBarbara orchestras, Gordon Goodwin’s “Big Phat Band.” Recorded/performed Paul Anka, Barry Manilow, Ray Charles
Dave Ryan – Glenn Miller and Harry James orchestras, Disneyland Band, recordings, theater, TV studio orchestras
Jerry Wheeler – Americus Brass Band, Long Beach Brassworks, Pacific Brass Ensemble, cruise ships, shows
Rich Bullock – Anchoring the brass section on bass trombone, Rich has performed with Harry James, Al Hirt, Don Ellis, Bill Watrous bands. Show and symphony orchestras. Vocalist. with the “FourStar Voices.”