Overview

The band was put together largely at the suggestion of a number of students still living and working in Leeds after their graduation from Leeds College of Music and wishing to continue the big band experience as well as maintain some contact with the college.

Its Director Al Wood has a considerable library of big band arrangements amassed over his many years of directing professional big bands, as well as arrangements written by students within the band at various times, and it seemed logical to make use of the music and give alumni the opportunity to keep the Big Band tradition alive.

After the success of the first Connections Fundraising Concert in 2006, which featured the College Big Band with special guest and Fellow of Leeds College of Music Sir John Dankworth, it was proposed earlier this year that the Alumni Big Band should play the second Fundraising Concert. This year the special guest will be well known saxophonist Alan Barnes, himself an alumnus and Fellow of the College. The band will feature fifteen ex–students from the College directed by Al Wood, who retired in 2007 after 24 years teaching at the College.