Gentle Winds Orchestra, a small group with big band sound, recently formed to present live jazz performances in northwestern North Dakota. Minot musician Steve Veikley instigated the group’s formation and created all the arrangements for the eight-piece group.
The small orchestra is comprised of piano, bass, drums, trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax and baritone/bass, with vocalist Terri Aldrich rounding out the band.
Performing in the area just since May, Gentle Winds Orchestra has its roots in Veikley’s days in New Jersey in the 1990s. He moved to Minot in 2004 but missed performing these classics of the American songbook from the ‘20s to the ‘50s.
The band has been well received at several appearances in North Dakota, including Arts in the Park, Minot, and James Memorial Arts Center, Williston.
Veikley’s credentials include degrees in Music Education (University of Northern Colorado) and arranging and composition (Berklee College of Music, Boston). He fronts a second band, Java Jive Jazz of Minot, and serves as program director for Minot Area Council of the Arts. His performance career has included US Army bands, 'Glenn Miller Orchestra' led by Buddy Morrow, and Atlantic City stages. He has shared the stage with Sammy Davis, Jr., Aretha Franklin, Rosemary Clooney, Martha Rae, Kaye Starr, Patti Page, Vic Damone, Robert Goulet, and The Mills Brothers.
Aldrich is executive director for Minot Area Council of the Arts and an accomplished vocalist. She sings with Sisters by Choice, a trio featuring World War II era songs, and has performed with Western Plains Opera as well as with Java Jive Jazz.
Both Java Jive Jazz and Sisters by Choice have appeared at the Sibyl Center previously in separate events.
For more information call Don at 336-817-4129 orJaninne at 701-628-3339.
