On July 18, 2024 Linda and the Linda Lee Michelet Big Band introduced a brand new show featuring jazz hits by some of the biggest names in mid-century jazz. This world premiere, titled “Linda Lee Sings the Winners” features a curated selection of classics by these legendary composers: Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Mack Gordon, Lorenz Hart, Miles Davis, Les Brown, Billy Strayhorn, Dave Cavanaugh, Jimmy Giuffre, Maceo Pinkard and Louis Prima. The Big Band pays tribute to the greatest poll-winning jazzmen by singing their most celebrated songs and arrangements. Joe Millward recreated these original arrangements for this show.
Here are a few of the songs included in this show.
This intimate evening of classic favorites feature the original arrangements of Peggy Lee and Quincy Jones, and Frank Sinatra’s “Live at the Sands” album.
Featured Peggy Lee tunes include: “Fever”, “I’m a Woman”, “It’s A Good Day”, and “Is That All There Is.”
Featured Frank Sinatra tunes include: “My Kind of Town”, “Come Dance With Me”, “New York, New York”, and “Summer Wind”.
Peggy Lee is Linda’s guiding light, inspiring the original tribute show in 2003, Latin a la Lee show, Big Band Peggy Lee and A Tribute to the Icons. Continue Reading →
The Linda Lee Michelet Big Band is proud to be the opening act for this year’s “Wilf’s Third Thursday Concerts”” beginning Thursday, June 15. This performance will be a benefit show for the Architectural Heritage Center, owned and operated by The Bosco-Milligan Foundation. The big band is generously sponsored by Harris Matarazzo, Attorney at Law.
Benny Goodman alum Peggy Lee followed up her monster 1947 solo hit “Manana” with this 1960s Capitol Records recording, “Latin ala Lee'”. The cover of the record, showing Lee surrounded by two matadors, won the Grammy for album cover of the year. Among the tunes covered by the big band with an Afro-Cuban beat will be “On the Street Where You Live”, “Till There was you”, “You Gotta Have Heart”, and “C’est Magnifique.” Also included in the performance are hits by Sergio Mendes, and Basia.
The genuine Afro-Cuban sound of Jack Marshall’s orchestra is beautifully re-created by Joe Millward who has lifted the original arrangements from the record pairing Peggy Lee’s 17-horn orchestra to our four horn ensemble.
The fine instrumentalists who perform this concert have been gathered from the vast pool of musical talent in the Northwest area. Trumpets, guitars, and an agile flute section create some exciting effects. Special Percussionist Catón Lyles makes the Afro-Cuban Beat happen.
Meet The Band:
Linda Lee Michelet, vocalist, has been performing in the Portland area for over 20 years. A regular at the Benson, The Heathman Hotel, and top Northwest Jazz venues, her swinging style is compared to the late Peggy Lee. Linda has received rave reviews from the Oregonian, The Portland Tribune, Downbeat Magazine, and has been featured in More Magazine. TV appearances include OPB’s ArtBeat, and nationally syndicated Better TV. Most recently, Linda has performed her “An Evening with Peggy Lee, and Frank Sinatra” show as Benefits for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Architectural Heritage Center – Bosco-Milligan Foundation.
Joe Millward, Musical Director and Arranger of the Linda Lee Michelet Big Band has been a professional musician for over 50 years, and is also the Musical Director of the R &B band, “Swingline Cubs.” Joe is also co-producer with Linda of the CD, “One Kiss.”
Dave Captein – Bass. Internationally known, as well as a favorite in the Northwest. Solid sound, time and feel make him a favorite for top band leaders. Has appeared with Mose Allison, Jack Sheldon, and Dave Frisberg among others.
Chance Hayden – Guitar. Major player in the Portland area. Composer, arranger and producer has garnered international acclaim as a player who knows how to get a lot of tone and color from his instrument.
Ed Pierce – Drums. A “first call” drummer known for his perfection in all styles of music.
Jeff Homan – Alto Sax, Flute. Jeff has performed with Jazz and Pop greats like Ella Fitzgerald, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Curtis Salgado, Nancy King, plus Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Dick Titterington – Trumpet. A legendary trumpet player in the Northwest. Cadence Magazine writes, “Great tone and ample technique make for a good listening experience when it comes to this trumpeter.”
Tim Jensen – Tenor Sax, Flute. Highly versatile woodwind player, bandleader, and composer.
John Moak – Trombone. Has spent the last three decades performing with symphony orchestras, ballet companies, Dave Brubeck, Rosemary Clooney, and Diane Schuur.
Guest Percussionist Catón Lyles. Catón has enriched his community with his performances as a musician, actor, instructor, and co-founder of the Internationally recognized Northwest Afrikan-American ballet. Caton received a gold record for co-writing “You Put Me In A Trance” with the NuShooz band.
Showcases the classic 1959 album “Beauty and the Beat” and Peggy Lee’s “Black Coffee”. Helping to achieve that Shearing sound is Tall Jazz performer and Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame member Mike Horsfall on vibes. Continue Reading →
Peggy Lee is Linda’s guiding light, inspiring the original tribute show in 2003, Latin a la Lee show, Big Band Peggy Lee and A Tribute to the Icons. 
