Content drawn from a letter to a prospective band member


About the band

• The band started in the 19th Ward back in the 1990's, originally called the SWAN Band (Southwest Area Neighborhood Band).  
• Our fearless leader is Nate Rawls, an icon in the Rochester jazz community.  Everyone knows and likes Nate.  He is smooth.
• We rehearse every Saturday from 11:00 to 1:00 at First Church Divine, 233 Central Park, Rochester, NY 14605.  That is one light North of the Rochester Public Market on Union St.
• Around 15 members show up on a typical Saturday; many are retired people.
• Instrumentation includes trumpets / flugelhorn, alto & tenor saxes, piano, guitar, bass, violin, one female and one male vocalist.  Occasional trombone, clarinet, flute, conga.
• The players have a range of experience and abilities.  
• Our repertoire is a mix of trad. jazz plus Great American Songbook plus some pop songs from days gone by like Sir Duke and the Theme from Shaft.  We play out of the 3 books of the Real Easy Jazz book series plus individual songs from Nate's library.  Our most recent playlist is below.
• We play around 15 gigs per year, mostly at community events including Aberdeen Square Day, Clarissa St. Festival, West Side Public Market at St. Monica's, National Night Out.  We also play some private events such as at the Presbyterian Home.
• Please let me know if you have any questions give us a call!

Lynn Heatley, Bass Player

​