Big Night Out is a 7 piece tropical style dance band who perform a blend of Latin, Caribbean, Funk and Motown dance music. An explosive horn section and a pulsing conga add to the bouncing rhythm section and passionate Bi-lingual female vocals. Big Night Out has quickly become one of southwest Florida's most exciting new dance bands on the scene. The band's line up includes many of Sarasota and Tampa's finest musicians. We have a sampler CD named, “It's Time for... Big Night Out”. It was recorded at Audio Images in Sarasota Florida.
The CD is available at all shows.
Weekly Planet
BEST OF THE SUNCOAST 2005
Best Bilingual Cover Band
The Weekly Planet voted Big Night Out, Best Bilingual Cover Band of 2005 and had this to say about the band. The idea of a creative cover band may sound ridiculous. Most such bands simply crank out tunes as close to the originals as possible. Big Night Out, however, earns this award because the band filters James Brown and the Isley Brothers through its own sound, a combination of Latin dance rhythms and funked up horns. Lead singer Joni Adno splits her time between actually delivering the vocals (in English and Spanish) and dancing around the stage, leading the crowd as it happily floods the dance floor. The band behind her is simply top notch.
A guaranteed fun night out.
As reported in the Sarasota Herald Tribune July 17th 2008
Latin-flavored collective Big Night Out could easily be called the Sarasota All Stars. All seven members are in other well known area bands. Get in the Conga line for the groups free FridayFest on the bay outside the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.“We've done Tropical Heatwave before,” trombonist Bruce Glasberg said, “but this will probably be our biggest show and we're very excited about it. We're working on a lot of new music for it.”
Actually they perform old music, but with a twist. They take less-played hits like the Deeelite's “Groove Is In The Heart” and Nancy Sinatra's “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” and put their Latin stamp on it.
“We have a bilingual singer”, (Joni Adno), Glasberg said, “and we have developed a niche for Latin, Carribean and American pop. That's our unique sound which makes us different from other bands.”
The group which also features Keith Greene - Trumpet, Edsel - Congas, Tony Sheppard - Guitar, Doug Conroy - Bass, and Paul Cartwright - Drums, not only does well at festivals and night clubs, it plays private engagements, conventions and weddings. When he's not performing with Big Night Out or Mitch Clark And The House Rockers at night, Glasberg is an environmental scientist by day “I'm usually running from the alligators and wild boars,” he said, with a laugh.
Last month's FridayFest show by Yesterdayze drew a huge crowd. Organizers are hoping for the same for Big Night Out. “We're going to put on a great show,” Glasberg said “We have a lot of energy and there's a lot of talent in our band, like Keith used to lead the Ringling Circus band around the world for 28 years, he would conduct with his left hand and play lead trumpet with his right, he is very talented.”
Big Night Out had everyone out of their chairs and dancing. They learned several new songs at our request and played them all beautifully. They were dressed very festive and did a great job at reading the audience mood and catering to them. Everyone was asking me where we found the band and just had a blast. Several said it was the best wedding they'd ever been too and THAT is due to Big Night Out's great talent. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a lively, fun party with a latin flare.
We all really enjoyed your performance this past Friday! Thank you and the band for your wonderful responsiveness to our group and the great fun you brought to us! I heard nothing but very positive comments from everyone. And it seemed as if Big Night Out enjoyed us too. I, as a musician and music teacher, recognized Big Night Out’s amazing musicianship and stage presence when I auditioned BNO at 15 South. I hoped everyone else there would too. And they did! You guys (and gal) made me look like a genius. I look forward to attending other events at which you play. Thank you!
Bruce was born in Bronxville, New York and grew up on Long Island. He began playing trombone in 4th grade, and hasn't stopped. Bruce moved to L.A. for nine years, then fled to Sarasota, FL. Over the years he has performed with Big Night Out, Strangeways, and Amandla Tunesmith (Florida), Undercover Funk and Romero Brothers (New York), Midnight Swingers, Flat Top Tom and the Jumpcats, and the Sonny Boyer Quartet (Los Angeles). Bruce's most memorable gigs include Corcoran State Prison in California (home to Charlie Manson and Sir Han Sir Han) national tours with Strangeways, Nudestock at the Riverboat Nudist Camp, and Tropical Heatwave in Ybor City, FL. The wildest gig for Bruce was in south central L.A. while leading a jazz quintet. Eleven LAPD officers ran into the bar with their guns drawn. The cops barged in and searched under the tables and kicked bathroom doors open as Bruce kept the band playing flawlessly never missing a single note. They found their suspect hiding under a van in the back parking lot. The officers were seen leaving the bar bopping their heads and snapping their fingers to the beat.
Music has always been a huge part of Joni's life. Her dad is a drummer and a tenor and was always singing around the house and taking the family to hear him perform in the opera or gigs. She began her singing career at age 5 on her front steps singing for whoever walked by and pretending she was singing with Ricky Nelson. Her music education was further encouraged when at the age of six she developed a crush on her choir director, who will remain nameless, which continued .... until she realized in her teens that he didn't really prefer girls. Her biggest credit to this day is the lead role in Verdi's Aida in the 6th grade Operetta. You may also have seen her around town performing Flamenco with Isabel DuBrocq's Rumba Flamenca or tropical dance beats with Big Night Out. She has studied piano from the age of 6 and has her degree in Music Education from the University of North Florida. Seven years of experience teaching elementary music in the public school system she says is now really coming in handy in dealing with the other band members. A Florida native, she hales from Jacksonville, where her son is a guitarist in the Sometimes Always band.
Born in Asheboro, N.C. Keith started playing trombone in 6th grade, two years later was first in the state. In the 11th grade he switched to trumpet. After High School Keith spent next 4 years at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. After College he traveled around the US with various jazz bands for 4 years until Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus hired him as Conductor/Trumpeter/Arranger. He planned to stay one year for the money. After 28 years and three ex-wives he had toured the country and much of the world. For the last three years he has lived in Venice, FL. Staying busy writing music, sailing and playing in five different bands in the area. Keith is planning to move to the Dominican Republic to explore and sail the Caribbean. When asked what his craziest event was he responded, marrying his third ex-wife (never again). Keith can get quite animated and goofy on stage and can play trumpet like no one else. He likes ostriches and they like him.
Tony is a Florida native, born in Sarasota. He started playing guitar when he was 12 years old and was inspired by the Beatles, Doors, Cream and other 60's bands. Besides Big Night Out, Tony is the guitarist with Strangeways, a Florida based ska band that has toured nationally and is coming out with their 3rd CD. When asked, "what was your funniest musical experience" Tony recalled a gig with Strangeways on Treasure Island in St. Petersburg, FL. During the 1st set his van caught on fire. Tony dashed out in-between sets as smoke was billowing out of the front window. The Fire Dept. put the fire out and told him not to drive the van back home. Tony drove the burned out van back to Sarasota, without a front seat. He currently teaches guitar to 70 students around Sarasota, the only requirement is each student must carry a portable fire extinguisher at all times, in case Tony combusts.
Born in New York City, Doug has lived in Florida since 1974. He began playing bass at age 15. Doug has played in many bands around SW Florida including: Ambush, Dem Tings, Rocksteady@8, Pork Pie Tribe, King 7 & the Soulsonics, Magadog & the Strangeways. Currently besides Big Night Out, Doug plays with Radio-Free Carmela and the Transmitters and pianist Sergei Glushonkov.
Edsel was born in Maria Mai, Curaçao, He began playing congas at age 16. During Edsel's upbringing, an uncle of his named Nilo Rivero lead a Latin band and knew all the great percussionists of that time. Whenever a great percussionist was performing in town he would get them to teach Edsel a new conga technique. The bands Edsel has performed with include, in Curaçao, Nilo Rivero y Su Conjunto, Grupo M.O.C.A, Typico Pica Piedra, Typico Piti Pua, Virus Jazz Orchestra, Fantasy, Clark Elisabet, Ike Jeserum and Four Connections, Survivors, and Crusaders. In the USA, Amandla Tune Smith, Patrick Foy and The Conk Critters, Orchestra Matata, SideWinders, Supernatural, Bop City, Los Selectos, Poder Intenso, Rocksteady@8, Strangeways, Grupo Mango, Enlaces and currently with Big Night Out. Edsel's most exciting gig was backing up the legendary Cuatrista from Puerto Rico, Yomo Toro while playing with Los Selectos. You can check out Edsel's website @ Edsel's Drum Connection
Paul is Big Night Out's drummer extordinare. He is from England where he played drums around England in various night club and show bands. In Sarasota, he has performed with several bands including small jazz groups, big bands, and is currently performing with Big Night Out and Vine Street Rumba Band. He can be very witty, especially his trombone jokes, which the trombone player does not appreciate.
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