History of The Akron Big Band
Over fifty years ago a group of men including Paul Krans and Don Davis started to play the music they loved as a group. This was the music of there youth, Big Band Swing Music . As word got out the band grew till it became a full seventeen piece big band. It was in the early 1960's that the Akron Big Band out grew Paul's home and moved to our current home, Westminster Presbyterian Church, in west Akron.
It is sad to say that none of the founding members are alive today to see how well the musical "seed" they planted, in 1955, has grown into today. With every performance we keep alive the music that we love and the memories of our friends that are no longer here to help us play it.
We have just finished celebrating our 50th anniversary . This is an anniversary that business strives for, couples cherish for and is almost unheard of for big bands. A true honor for all of us!
Fifty years makes for thousands of performances and tens of thousands of happy listeners. The Akron Big Band is believed to be the oldest big band in continuous operation in the state of Ohio .
Our Mission
The Akron Big Band is more of a family then a business, even though we are organized as a non profit corporation in the state of Ohio. Our members are paid the most by your applause and seeing the smiles on your faces. I cannot count the number of times someone has told a band member, "I saw Glen Miller when I was young and you just took me right back there." It is The Akron Big Bands mission to create new memories for the young and bring back the good old memories of the rest. 50 Plus years of keeping the best music alive!
Please keep on checking this page as it will be growing with old photos and more history as our research goes on. If you have any stories please share them with us.
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