NEW BERLIN – Red Raville’s Big Band Sounds will kick off the 37th performing arts series of the New Berlin Art Forum with fourteen outstanding instrumentalists and vocalist who will perform in the Unadilla Valley Central School Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Their “Big Band Sounds” group was born in 1986 when “Red” gathered musician friends from the Central New York area; most from the field of school instrumental teachers. Of the 14 musicians (five Saxes, three trumpets, three trombones, bass, drums and keyboard), all but two are active or retired band directors and professionally trained musicians. “Big Band Sounds” performs at concerts, private parties, wedding receptions, anniversaries and jazz concerts, including venues in Northern, Central and Southern New York, and always to high praise. So plan to attend and enjoy an evening of great tunes made famous by the bands of Glenn Miller, Harry James, Woody Herman, Les Brown and arrangements of today’s music.

The band has an extensive library of dance music including the swinging jazz of the 1930s and 1940s dance bands; think Benny Goodman, Count Basie and the Dorsey Brothers providing Latin numbers (cha-chas, bossa novas, meringues) waltzes, polkas, and some popular rock tunes. Real toe tapping tunes for a Saturday evening at the Ides of October.