Welcome to the official website of
is a band of five horns and a three-piece rhythm section that is committed to the music of the swing era, uniquely using arrangements that capture the sound and energy of the big bands of that era with less than half the number of musicians – thus becoming the little big band. Although the band’s foundation is in the harmony and improvisations of swing/jazz, its music encompasses all the rhythms and tempos of dance. The band was formed in early 2005 and produced its first CD entitled Swingtime in 2006, which features vocals by Lisa Ferraro. The band has been accompanied by many different local vocalists besides Lisa, including Johnny Angel, Claudia Benack, Tania Grubbs, Kim Alexander, Debbie Zugates and Mary Ann Mangini.
The band performs for both ballroom dancing and concert programs.
Concert programs include the Musical Evolution of Jazz, Music of Cole Porter, Theme Songs of the Big Bands of the Forties and Fifties, and Music For Dancing, together with dance teams demonstrating the various dance steps, and Swingin’ With An Angel, featuring Johnny Angel singing the songs of Frank Sinatra and other male vocalists of the Swing Era.
Leading and arranging for the band and playing alto sax and clarinet is Joe Lagnese. The other horn players currently include Jim Emminger on tenor sax, Vince Ruffini on bari sax and flute, Roger Dannenberg on trumpet and David Heinemann on trombone. The rhythm section is currently comprised of Ken Pompi on keyboard, Ken Kovach on bass and Vince Taglieri on drums.
3066 Woodland Road | Allison Park, PA 15101 | joelagnese@gmail.com |