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1st Brigade Band

In 1864 eighteen men from the Brodhead Brass Band enlisted in the Union Army as the band of the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 15th Army Corps. They left their rural Wisconsin homes to participate, under the command of General William T. Sherman, in the campaigns of Northern Georgia and the Carolina’s. The “Tradition of Excellence” that these men established, more than 130 years ago lives on today with the members of the 1st Brigade Band. 

marching

The band MAKES HISTORY LIVE by presenting period brass band music, performed on antique instruments. Attired in uniforms and gowns, the Band’s musicians, color guard, and costumed ladies take you back to the 1860’s; to that turbulent era known as the Civil War. A nostalgic portrayal of the atmosphere of days gone by is generated by a unique form of showmanship that blends the sights and sounds of the period with historical anecdotes.

More than eighty volunteers, men and women, make up the 1st Brigade Band. Widely varied in age and occupation, they come from many communities, bringing with them a common interest in their musical heritage. During a typical year, they will meet their audience more than forty times, in concerts, parades, military balls, and worship services, presenting their educational and entertaining programs. While the abundant written and pictorial materials remain, the mellow sounds of the brass bands of the 1860’s were lost until the 1st Brigade Band, starting in 1964, began to locate and restore the dented and broken instruments and to retrieve and reconstruct the yellowed and torn music. Through their work you can now hear what Presidents Lincoln and Davis, Generals Lee and Grant, and their contemporaries heard.

The 1st Brigade Band has recorded in the MAKING HISTORY LIVE series, the most complete anthology of Civil War Music ever attempted. High fidelity recordings of Union and Confederate band and vocal music are available at performances of the 1st Brigade Band, historic site gift shops, and on our website.

The 1st Brigade Band is an affiliate of the Wisconsin Historical Society and is supported and sponsored by Heritage Military Music Foundation, Inc.; a non-profit, educational, historical, and patriotic organization. In 2009, HMMF was awarded the Rueben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History; demonstrating the excellence of its achievements in both collecting and preserving history and sharing that history with the public.

Elmhurst University Jazz Ensemble

ELMHURST UNIVERSITY JAZZ BAND
In the spring of 2021, master jazz educator Doug Beach retired after 43
years as the director of the Elmhurst University Jazz Band. In the fall of the
same year, Kirk Garrison was hired as the director of this group that has
earned worldwide acclaim as an outstanding ensemble.
Formerly under the direction of Doug Beach, the Elmhurst University Jazz
Band has earned worldwide acclaim as an outstanding ensemble. In June of
2014, the Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards named the Elmhurst
College Jazz Band the Undergraduate College winner in the large jazz
ensemble category.
The band has performed in Greece, Romania, England, Scotland, Ireland,
Croatia, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic,
Poland, Austria, Italy, Indonesia, Malta, Spain, Portugal, Spain, Serbia,
Bulgaria, Canada and the Bahamas. It has twice toured Europe at the
invitation of the U.S. State Department. It has appeared at the Montreux Jazz
Festival, the Northsea Jazz Festival, the Umbria Jazz Festival, the Vienne
Jazz Festival, Bohemia Jazz and others. In 1997, the band was the only
college jazz ensemble invited to perform at the Jak Jazz Festival in Jakarta,
Indonesia.
Closer to home, the Elmhurst University Jazz Band has performed at
festivals across the United States, and has received outstanding ratings from
jazz greats Clark Terry, Lee Konitz, Rob McConnell, Nicholas Payton,
Randy Brecker and Bob Brookmeyer among others. In 2001, the band
accompanied Dee Dee Bridgewater on the main stage at the Chicago Jazz
Festival in Grant Park.
The band regularly appears with the most respected musicians in
professional jazz. Recent guest artists have included Bobby Shew, the
Yellowjackets, The Maria Schneider Orchestra, The Count Basie Orchestra,
Patti Austin, Denis DiBlasio, Wayne Bergeron, Dee Dee Bridgewater,
Orbert Davis, Marshall Gilkes, Jeff Hamilton, Tamir Hendelman, John
Pizzarelli, Tom Scott, Gary Smulyan, Terell Stafford, Steve Wiest, Anthony
Wilson, Bill Watrous, and Patrick Williams. In October of 2017, the band
was invited by the legendary Doc Severinsen to accompany him on a concert
tour of Ohio.

Neil Diamond Tribute

 

Eric Diamond Productions – Tribute Artist, Neil Diamond, Singer

History

Eric “Diamond” has been performing as Neil Diamond for the last 20 years and has been Wisconsin’s Favorite Neil Diamond Tribute Artist since 2009.  He has been told on countless occasions that he “sounds more like Neil than Neil Diamond does”.  Primarily focusing his solo shows around his home base of southeastern Wisconsin, for the last thirteen years Eric has toured the casinos, theaters and festivals of the Midwest as a headliner with the Ultimate Legends show.

In the beginning, Eric worked with several other entertainers and Tribute Artists as part of a duo (most notably Forever in Blue Suede, Diamonds & Martinis and Diamonds & Dreams) to provide an energetic evening filled with variety, good music and great times.  

The Last Several Years

Eventually going solo and taking his one-man “Neil & Nostalgia” show on the road, Eric has been wowing crowds not only with his spot-on vocal performance of Neil Diamond’s biggest hits, but also with his tributes to artists like Johnny Cash, John Cougar Mellencamp and the nostalgic “one-hit wonders” of the 60s and 70s.

Over the last several years, Eric has been showcased on WITI Fox 6’s Wake Up and Real Milwaukee shows, as well as CBS 58 Sunday Morning’s “Diamond in the Rough”   feature story.  

Recently, Eric returned home from a small tour of the American Legion Posts of Central Kentucky, and has performed for sold out crowds at historic Wisconsin Theaters such as Wausau’s Grand Theater, Manitowoc’s Civic Center, Racine’s Memorial Hall and Sentry Theater in Stevens Point.

Where He Can Be Found

One of the hardest-working entertainers, singers and Tribute Artists around, Eric is performing several shows every week, whether it be breaking into restaurants and resorts in Illinois, in Wisconsin at a bar, club, Lodge, Legion Post or restaurant on the weekend with his solo “Neil & Nostalgia Show”, a festival or casino somewhere in the Midwest with the Ultimate Legends Band, or during the week at a private event or retirement community.   

He is always a favorite at Summerfest, Milwaukee County Zoo a la Carte and the Wisconsin State Fair.  Check the Schedule page to find out more.

With a Following of Thousands…

…Eric Diamond’s interactive, high-energy style, humble nature and song selection are what keep people coming back.  And as Eric himself says:

“Whether you’re 25 or 85 years of age, everyone knows and can sing along to at least one Neil Diamond song. I’ve seen this during countless performances of my Neil Tribute — whether I’m performing at a casino or festival with the Ultimate Legends Band, doing my solo show at a bar or restaurant or playing a courtyard picnic at a nursing home, there is continually and consistently an excellent response. And why is this? It is because, simply put, Neil Diamond is one of America’s greatest songwriters, of this or any generation. I know I sound like a quote from the movie Saving Silverman, but it’s the truth. He has sold millions upon millions of records by putting his words, music, heart and soul out there for everyone to hear. I am by no means a fanatic; I just know good music when I hear it. 

“It is an honor and a privilege to reproduce the passion of Mr. Diamond’s voice at every show, and to reintroduce people to the beauty and simplicity of his songwriting. And with a great mix of other great nostalgic sing-along songs from the 60s, 70s & 80s, I will ALWAYS deliver a show that will be remembered for weeks to come.”

ZZTop Tribute

Web Site

– (eliminatorband.com)

 

Made up of two outstanding, veteran musicians from one of the top major markets in the USA and one from across the Pond as a graduate of The British and Irish Modern Music Institute, That Lil Ol Band from Chicago is dedicated to bringing you the finest tribute to that “Lil Ol Band From Texas”. From the spot on reproduction of the classic songs and costumes, to the perfectly choreographed show that includes the iconic spinning fuzzy guitars, no other tribute band is as dedicated. How dedicated you ask? Our bassist has been growing out his beard for the past 40 years! 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow us on social media @eliminatorband

Elvis Tribute – Jonny Lyons and the Pride

 

Jonny Lyons Music | Chicago | Entertainer (jlyonsmusic.com)

 

 
Born of a rock and roll front man and a musical theater queen with a knack for harmonies, Jonathan was bound to be a musical child.

At about 2 years old, Jonathan was already entertaining his family with his singing. Even when singing a terribly out-of-order rendition of the ABCs, there was still passion and confidence behind the performance.

At around age 10, he took up drum lessons and began playing with a local band by the name of “Blackout,” which would later be known as “The Smoking Revolvers,” and even later as “Plume.” This gave him a taste of the live music scene where he felt at home, but there was always a burning desire to take the stage as a front man.

For some time, Jonathan’s singing was confined to campfires and small family gatherings, but at age 14, Jonathan took the stage for the very first time as The Man In Black – Johnny Cash. Alongside his father, who was performing as jumpsuit-era Elvis Presley, Jonathan threw on a cheap wig, grabbed a prop guitar and got up on stage and gave his very first “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.”

Though the first show went over remarkably well with the audience, there was plenty of room for improvement, and Jonathan didn’t waste any time taking up guitar lessons, growing out his hair, and studying film. 
 
Not before long, Jonathan had a well-polished Johnny Cash act and secured the lead in an established Johnny Cash/June Carter tribute band known as June’s Got the Cash. With the Cash tribute mastered, he would later move onto add to his repertoire a 50’s Elvis tribute. With only his 2nd Elvis competition, Jonathan was taking home trophies for Fan Favorite and 2nd place.

With success in the tribute world, Jonathan had a desire to begin doing his own thing. After his first break-up, Jonathan began writing, recording, and releasing his own music. With the absence of a band, he went on to record each individual part of his original tunes spanning 6 different instruments. Within a short while, Jonathan put together his dream 5-piece show band, Jonny Lyons & the Pride who have been entertaining folks all over the Midwest ever since!

Today, Jonathan travels all over North America captivating his audiences with a whole lot of stage presence and a touch from the past.

Super Tramp Tribute

 

WWW.SUPERTRAMPTRIBUTE.COM

 Meet The Supertramp Tribute, a crafty, slightly eccentric, and wildly passionate ensemble of multi-instrumentalists who have united to pay homage to one of the most endearing Progressive Rock bands the world has ever known. With an arsenal that includes three keyboard players, a stable of reeds, and a rhythmic backbone, this tribute band delivers a sonic experience that transports you through time. Their performances are more than just a collection of cover songs; they are a musical odyssey that invites you to take the long way home, immersing yourself in the iconic sounds and intricate melodies that made Supertramp a household name. Get ready to embark on a musical journey like no other, only with The Supertramp Tribute. 

Dancing Queen – Abba Tribute

Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute — Booking (dancingqueenband.com)

 

Bio

Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute is the ultimate tribute to the music of ABBA – sure to capture the hearts of fans and audiences of all ages! This live show is full of musical precision, fabulous flair and fashion, and promises a mesmerizing ABBA experience for every Chiquitita, Super Trouper, Fernando, and Dancing Queen around!

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Fronted by a dynamic Agnetha and Frida duo, the music of the greatest pop band in history comes to life in a joyful celebration of these timeless tunes. Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute is the Midwest’s long-standing resident ABBA tribute, with a repertoire of over 40 all-time favorite hits. From Waterloo to Mamma Mia, S.O.S. to Knowing Me, Knowing You, Honey, Honey to Voulez-Vous, audiences won’t be able to help singing and dancing along with their high-energy homage to everything ABBA!