Banding together for 40 years

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This article was published 22/09/2015 (3898 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When you think of going dancing, you might not immediately think of going to see a big band. But for those who enjoy salsa, tango and polka dancing, there’s the Executive Big Band, a 17-piece group that’s been together for 40 years.

Nancy Nowosad, 59, and her husband Dave, 60, have been playing in the band for the last 23 years, with Nancy on keyboard and Dave on tenor saxophone. The couple, along with 15 (sometimes 16, including a guest vocalist) other musicians have played many shows around the western region of Winnipeg, as well as Portage La Prairie and Selkirk.

“We play music from the ‘30s and ‘40s quite a bit,” Nowosad said. “We have Latin music for people that like to dance tangos. They might not have a huge opportunity to dance to that type of music.”

Other tunes include slower waltzes and ballads, as well as a few rock and roll tracks. The group has 500 pieces of music in their repertoire. On Sept. 25, the group will be playing a show at the Park Theatre in celebration of their 40th anniversary.

As a classically trained piano player and teacher, Nowosad said she enjoys her role as keyboardist.

“The band’s music has quite an uplifting beat, and there are different harmonies and styles of music,” Nowosad said. “Playing keyboard in a band, you’re working in a group and with piano oftentimes it’s by yourself. So you really get the chance to interact with a group, and the people become very important and part of your life as well.”

The social aspect of it has been a huge piece for Nowosad, who said that music was what brought her and her husband together.

“Dave was in the military at the time and he was posted at the base in Saskatchewan,” Nowosad said.

At the time, she was studying at the University of Regina and playing in the school band. While Dave was staying there, he heard about the band and began to attend practices.

“We ended up sitting next to each other,” Nowosad said. And the rest is history.

The rest of the band’s members range in from 20 to 80 years of age and include members who are retired as well as working. Some of the other musicians are professionals, such as Nowosad, but others take part as a hobby.

“We have a really great time playing and we love playing for people,” Nowosad said. “So we hope that everyone comes out.”

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