Big band, big dreams

Re-print from Denton Record-Chronicle

Swing, rock or hip-hop — jazz band does it all

Published: 09 May 2013 10:52 AM

The Tyler Mire Big Band gets its turn on the patio at Sweetwater Grill & Tavern on Sunday night.

Tyler Mire Big Band came together in 2012 and releases its first album in June. Mire, pictured in the center with his core ensemble. The band plays Sweetwater Grill & Tavern on Sunday night.

Mire, a University of North Texas College of Music graduate, honed his performing, composing and arranging chops in the One O’clock Lab Band and under the tutelage of faculty jazz composer and arranger Richard DeRosa. Mire studied trumpet under Jay Saunders.

Mire is the band leader of his namesake ensemble, which got together last year. The group’s repertoire is classic big band music and original tunes — with improvisation and solos. (19-piece large jazz ensemble comprised of professionals in the DFW area.)

Reeds:
Aaron Hedenstrom, Alex Fraile, Chris Reardon, Drew Zaremba, Kelsey Pickford
Trombones:
Carl Lundgren, Seth Weaver, Scott Sidway, Alex Blue, Eric Andress
Trumpets:
Andrew Bezik, Thomas Davis, Thomas Eby, Micah Bell, Kevin Swaim
Rhythm:
Austin Byrd – Piano, Alex Cannon – Guitar, Dan Parr – Bass, Justin Heaverin – Drums

The group recorded a nine-track album due out next month, thanks to a crowd-sourcing fundraiser.

Mire and musicians put together a record that takes on rock, hip-hop, funk, swing, sambas and ballads. Finely tuned jazz ears will pick up on Mire’s influences — Thad Jones, Count Basie and Maria Schneider, to name a few.

The Tyler Mire Big Band plays from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday on the patio at Sweetwater, 155 S. Elm St., and there’s no cover charge.