About The Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band

An Introduction:

This band's impressive collection of musicians and their musicianship is what makes the Swing Machine stand taller and swing harder and longer than any other band on the scene today. The musicianship of this band allows it to play to any situation, be it a dance or a concert.  It gets down and blue with tunes like "Goin on Blues", played in the gospel style of "God Bless the Child", it captures the romanticism found in the delicate harmonies of ballads like "Misty", and it can generate the hard swinging heat of Woody Herman's Apple Honey".

As a Concert Jazz Orchestra this band has played at the Mt. Hood Festival  of Jazz, The Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, Hood River's Apple Jam, and just about every major concert series in Oregon. They have opened for jazz luminaries Dave Brubeck, Marlena Shaw, The Four Freshman and others. Perhaps the greatest honor was being conducted in concert by Grammy award winning composer and arranger Pete Rugolo of the Stan Kenton band.  The concert consisted entirely of Mr. Rugolo's music and included a world premiere performance of his "Design for Brass".

To say this band swings is an understatement - it flat out cooks. What makes this band so entertaining is the sound that only a big band can generate. The sounds that make this big band so different from all the others are its unique book of charts. Under the guidance of Art Abrams, new charts by contemporary arrangers as well as standards have been arranged by some of the best jazz arrangers in the business. This adds new energy, depth, and style to the music of the Swing Machine.

As a Dance Band, the Swing Machine is in great demand and has generated a loyal following of swing and ballroom dancers for public and private dances in venues like the Multnomah Athletic Club, The Arlington Club, and the Benson Hotel to name just a few. The Swing Machine has a large dance book of charts containing the standards of Glenn Miller, swinging charts of Woody Herman and Count Basie, to the mellow tones of the Dorsey's and Harry James bands.

As recording artists: the release of three critically acclaimed CDs, "The First One", "Art Attack", and "Children Of The Night" has made Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band one of the most exciting and creative musical acts in the Northwest. Details about the Swing Machine's CDs, sample tracks, as well as reviews can be found on our "Buy Music" page.

The public likes the Swing Machine's CDs as much as the critics. At one local record store sales of "Art Attack" are outpacing sales of all other local musical groups with new  product on the market, regardless of their musical style.

Excellence and the joy of producing a unique and quality musical experience for the audience as well as the musicians makes this band different. It doesn't matter what style of music is your favorite, if you like music you will become a fan of Art Abrams Swing Machine.  All you have to do is listen.

Art Abrams Biography:

Art Abrams began his music career as a teenager in the midst of the big band era. Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, and his personal favorite, Harry James were the kings of music. He fell in love with the sound of the trumpet, especially the trumpet stylings of Harry James and later in his career, Chet Baker. Art went out and bought his first Selmer Trumpet 45 years ago.  Its been an ongoing love affair ever since. For Art, jazz music was a revelation and he wanted to be a part of it.

After graduating from the Los Angeles City College and the City College Jazz Band, Art became a professional musician playing with the Jerry Grey, Charlie Barnett, Les Elgart, Keith Williams, and Buddy Bregman big bands in the 50's and early 60's. Each band leader had his own concepts and musical style and Art absorbed their knowledge of sound and taste for arrangements. However, Art still regards band leaders Stan Kenton, Count Basie, and Woody Herman as major influences in his own style of big band music.

Art has played in, and been a leader of several small combos, including Latin, jazz, and casual combos.

His whole life has revolved around music: listening, playing, teaching music and passing on his passion and love for jazz. He has become one of KMHD's most popular DJ's with two shows a week. Listen to Art's shows on Saturdays from 9 to 10pm and on Sundays from 10am to 2pm on KMHD at 89.1 FM.

Art's  insatiable love of jazz, his experience, his passions have led him to develop arrangements and voicings of lush brass chords and rich textures that are the signature stylings of the Swing Machine.  He is a musical perfectionist looking for that perfect chord, that excellence of sound that has become the signature of his band.