The Freese Brothers Big Band, formed in 1982 by brothers Jack, Bill, George, and Courtland Freese, has been a cornerstone of New Hampshire’s music scene for over four decades. Originating from Pittsfield, NH, the band was born from a family musical tradition that began in the 1930s with the “Homespun Broadcasters.” This 20-piece ensemble, featuring a mix of volunteer musicians and talented high school students, specializes in swing and classic Big Band music, performing iconic tunes by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Frank Sinatra, alongside contemporary hits arranged in the big band style. Beyond entertainment, the band is dedicated to fostering young talent through its Memorial Scholarship Fund, which has awarded over $70,000 to high school musicians since 1986. Their performances, ranging from free monthly dances at the Henry J. Sweeney American Legion Post in Manchester to concerts at venues like The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, embody a commitment to community and musical heritage. “What makes us different is that we play good music for a good cause,” said band vice-president David Tirrell-Wysocki, highlighting their altruistic mission.
The Freese Brothers Big Band’s vibrant performances and community spirit have earned widespread acclaim. Their 2017 season announcement was celebrated as a continuation of “bringing swing and classic Big Band music to communities around New Hampshire, while raising scholarship funds for a new generation of talented musicians” (Laconia Daily Sun). In 2023, their debut in the Monadnock region at The Park Theatre was hailed as a milestone for an “extraordinary legacy” that has kept the Big Band tradition alive for 40 years (BroadwayWorld). The band’s ability to blend nostalgia with fresh arrangements, as noted in a 2024 Palace Theatres feature, offers “a dynamic mix of big band classics and arrangements of standard tunes from The Great American Songbook.” Their concerts, such as the rescheduled October 2024 matinee, are praised for delivering “a wonderful afternoon of big-band swing music” (Freese Brothers Big Band website). Through their music and philanthropy, the Freese Brothers Big Band continues to inspire audiences and nurture the next generation of musicians across New Hampshire.