News & Itinerary

Happy spring to all

I hope life is treating you well.

Thanks to those who came to the Opus One show in Wiscasset March 17th.  Nice to see y’all, and I hope you enjoyed the show.

The Opus One Big Band will be playing a public concert at 4 PM on Sunday, April 28th, at the Hallowell City Hall auditorium, 1 Winthrop Street, in Hallowell.   The show is a fundraiser for the Hubbard Free Library, in Hallowell. Opus One  is a top shelf 18 piece big band made of music educators and pro musicians from around Maine (and sometimes New Hampshire and Massachusetts). It’s a ripper.  Tickets at the door.  Sit down, strap in,  and enjoy the show.

The summer’s schedule is gelling.   The Bath Swing Band season will kick off on Tuesday,  June 18th, at 7 PM at the Bath Gazebo. The band is a 16 piece big band, that plays free public shows Tuesdays nights at 7 PM, pending weather, through August, at the Bath Gazebo.  BYO lawnchairs.

My big band will be playing a free public show at Mailly Waterfront Park in beautiful downtown Bowdoinham on Sunday, July 14th, at 6 PM.  My band is a cherry picked bunch of Maine’s best musicians, and I hope the gazebo is insured because we’ll be blowing the roof off.  There’ll be food vendors there.  BYO lawnchairs.

If you or anyone you know needs a band, steer ’em my way.  I’m always looking for work for all of my bands.

If you want a big band Youtube fix, check out the Thilo Wolf Big Band. They’re German, and fantastic.  If you want a fun small hornband to enjoy, check out Lucky Chops.  They’re bari sax player, Leo Pelligrino, is a riot.  If horn bands aren’t your thing, and you’re not familiar with him, check out Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.  Chet Atkins and Erica Clapton have both called the Tommy the best player they’ve ever seen.  You’ll see why.

If you want to be on my Legions of Fans listserv and receive periodic emails about upcoming shows, let me know and I’ll add you to it.

And as always, know that no musicians were harmed in the creation of this website.

Scott

• What People Are Saying…

  "Thank you for your band’s part in our daughter’s wedding last month. The cocktail music was perfect, and your rock band was great. You really know what a crowd wants. Any band that has my 84 year old aunt and my 13 year old granddaughter dancing their shoes off at the same time is the band I want playing my party. Thank you again."

  Marney Harrison, Rye, NH

  "I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated the music you provided for our wedding reception. The jazz was perfect for cocktails and dinner, and your rock band (with that fantastic horn section) rocked the house for the dance sets. The band’s energy and excitement were contagious, and made our special day even more special, seeing everyone having such a great time. Thank you so much!"

  Janelle Kerns, Kennebunkport, ME

  "We have been using Scott and his band for years at the Bath Country Club. He's always a crowd pleaser. I think so much of Scott that his band was the only one my wife and I ever considered for playing our wedding!"

  Shawn Arsenault - Owner, Bath Country Club

  "I didn’t know that you could still hire a professional big band anymore, and am so glad we found The Mike Willette Swing Band. You played ALL our parents’ favorites, and made their anniversary party just the best. My mother said if she closed her eyes, she was on The Pier at Old Orchard Beach with my father listening to Woody Herman and Glenn Miller and Count Basie, and all the rest. Thank you for making their anniversary party perfect."

  Tom Watts, Scarborough, ME

  "Thank you for your energy and masterful playing and band leadership. You and your quartet made the evening magical – the best time ever."

  Judy Metcalf – The Chocolate Church Performing Arts Center, Bath, Maine

  "I know we thanked you at the reception, but I just had to do it again, and reiterate how much your music added to the event. We really wanted the big band AND rock and roll, and The Bigdogs were perfectly in between. “The elders” loved the WWII era swing music, with the horn section, and the “youngers” loved the blues and rock tunes. My brother plays guitar, quite well, and said that his jaw was on the floor at times listening to your guitar player. You guys were just the best."

  Shannon Tyler, Cambridge, MA

  "I had reservations about hiring only a 4 piece band for our party, but my wife heard you guys at Gingko Blue in Portland and said you were the band to get. MAN, was she right. All of you guys are great musicians, and we loved the variety of music you played. Lyle Lovett? Maria Muldaur?? Maynard Ferguson?? A Duke Ellington tune followed by ZZ Top??? You guys are not the typical bar band, and will be getting calls from our friends to play their parties. Thanks again."

  Tom Barnes, Augusta, Maine