Spring Starlight Ball and Big Band Extravaganza

Whether you like to dance in your seat--or dance on your feet—the “Spring Starlight Ball” at Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club will give you plenty to sway about! Your evening will be filled with marvelous music performed by the renowned and spectacular 19-piece Compaq Big Band, which has delighted audiences for decades at scores of venues throughout New England. Now the band makes another return to the Seacoast to be part of this special Portsmouth 400th Celebration. In style, you’ll dine on a fabulous three-course dinner, with choice of entree, while admiring the moves of three professional dance couples showcasing a mix of latin & swing dances. Throughout the evening, you’ll have plenty of your own time to dance under the stars with a variety of dance music. Or you can sit back and listen to the Big Band Sounds and enjoy watching other dancers twirl through the night! The versatile repertoire of the Compaq Big Band will include the wonderful sounds of swing, Latin, and popular dance standards as performed by the bands of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Chris Walden, and Tito Puente! Katie Oberholtzer, a terrific jazz vocalist who received Downbeat’s 2021 and 2022 awards for Outstanding Jazz Vocal Soloist, and who has performed at a variety of venues including Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center as well as with the Portland Jazz Orchestra, will be out front with the band bringing you songs made famous by Ella Fitzgerald, Diane Schuur, Tierney Sutton, Natalie Cole, and other great artists.   So, grab your reserved seat now, take out your special party attire, get ready for some fun, and join us at Jimmy’s, along with 14 talented horns, an awesome rhythm section, great instrumental soloists, a fabulous jazz singer, a dance exhibition, and one heck of a marvelous evening of food, music, and movement! Cocktail Attire Ticket proceeds help support the mission of the Seacoast Jazz Society.