The Heisey Wind Ensemble Big Band was formed as an auxiliary performing jazz ensemble of the Heisey Wind Ensemble. HWE members Randall Lamb, Doug Moran and David DeCarolis felt there was a need for a quality big band jazz in the area and spearheaded the formation of the HWE Big Band in 2010. The band gave a well received premier performance at the 2010 Newark Jazz and Ribs Festival.

The band has also performed at the Newark Independence Day Celebration, the Granville “Concert on the Green”, the Licking Valley Jazz Festival, and gives at least one concert at their home in the Reese Center at OSUN during the HWE concert season.

HWE Music Director Dr. Russel Mikkelson, Director of Bands at The Ohio State University, leads the 20 member ensemble which has a traditional big band instrumentation of 5 saxophones, 5 trumpets, 5 trombones, rhythm section and vocalist. Membership in the HWE Big Band is drawn primarily from the Heisey Wind Ensemble. Each concert the HWE Big Band gives is prepared and rehearsed specifically for the performance.

The HWEBB is thrilled to have had as our guest vocalists Kelly Delaveris, Dwight Lenox, Belinda Paisley, Jim Masters, Kelly McLennan, Felita LaRock and Brian Michael Smith.