Recent live video performances; https://www.youtube.com/@SalemBigBand/videos

Older (2009-2020) video recordings of live performances: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSalemBigBand/videos

August 28 2001 Music On The Green show, Mission Mill Museum: https://youtu.be/lOySASx-u4I

2001 the Salem Big Band published an audio Demo Disk with a compilation track and 3 tunes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLif6Y8-z7R5ZEJdWFECEltHb2ZLaJtbIX

1998 the Salem Big Band collected 8 audio recordings at Lenora's Ghost in Independence Oregon: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLif6Y8-z7R5Y-yKdWdkCg4QTMXx36_gXM

1998 The Salem Big Band collected 14 audio recordings from multiple performances at Boons Treasury: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLif6Y8-z7R5bRrR9RYmep9_HzoD_ObIl4

July 11 1996 West Salem Lions park performance: https://youtu.be/bgMH6xa4hM8

1996 the Salem Big Band video taped 7 tunes in the CCTV studios: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLif6Y8-z7R5YzOqGhQnulV-Q_dwrV3BlJ

1995 The Salem Big Band collaborated with singer Janie Martin to publish a 19 tune CD:  https://www.youtube.com/@JanieMartinSings/videos

IN THE BEGINNING (1989)
The Salem Big Band was conceived of by Tim Duffy and Brian Case. They reached out to John Delaney and others to set up their first rehearsal at South Salem Highschool. The first tune they rehearsed was Gospel John with a great opening trumpet solo for John D.

The Original members of the Salem Big Band included Jason Carter, Dennis McIntyre, Bill Hughs, Kevin Ohmart, Steve Finn, John Delaney, Bob Dedrick, Brian Case, Pete Wirfs, Scott Napper, David Clausnitzer, Ken Bonnem, Ray Rom, Tim Duffy, Jon Melondy, and Greg Hilficker.

This band enjoyed a peak of popularity in the 1990's. They played a Mission Mill dance on the third Friday of every month. These dances rarely drew fewer than 200 customers. The band was also performing at Boons Treasury on the first Monday of every month. The band was also doing wedding and party gigs and upon occasion had to turn down gigs.

My memories with the Salem Big Band, by Pete Wirfs
I joined this group in its inaugural year, 1989.  I was a 32 year old software engineer and amateur trombone player from Corvallis, and was still performing with the Albany Civic Theater regularly.  Another Salem trombone player, Brian Case, was telling me how fun their first rehearsal was. So I asked "why didn't you invite me?"  I am writing this in 2025 and am still playing with this group.

 Some of the more memorable professional musicians I can say I have played with in this group include Dave Metzger, Ralph Patt, Stan Bock, and Doc Severinsen, and others that I can't remember the names of. But that's not to take anything away from the numerous local musicians I have also played with, many of whom could perform professionally if that were their chosen life path!

The group almost dissolved because of covid. In early 2020 we had been rehearsing with the Salem Symphonic Winds for a combined concert piece, and everything was cancelled due to the pandemic. There were no rehearsals or gigs for several years as the pandemic lasted into 2023.  Then John Dulaney asked for my help to keep the group going, and I stepped up. It is not easy coordinating such a large group of talented musicians and their backups, rehearsal spaces, and performance venues. We formed a strong volunteer board of directors to divide the workload, and we are now on solid footing again. But there will always be the risk of dissolution if their aren't enough volunteers.