SUMMER SERENADE – JULY 9, 2025: CANCELLED!

Hello friends, fans and members of the Pitt Meadows community!

We regret to inform you that due to wet performance space and seating grounds at Spirit Square, alongside a possibility of light rain this evening, we have had to cancel our first Summer Serenade Performance of 2025 🙁

Weather permitting, visit Spirit Square next Wednesday, July 16th, 7PM for our next featured performer: Langley’s own contemporary big band: Jazz Orchestra of the 49th Parallel.

July 23rd will feature Port Coquitlam’s Adult Contemporary hits group: Allegro Music!

The Bruce James Orchestra will be back swingin’ at Spirit Square on July 30th.

We hope you can come out and support live music in your community.

HUGE THANKS to the City of Pitt Meadows, Mayor & Council and of course – all of you – our fans- for your support.

Warm regards,

Bruce, Andrea and all the members of the Bruce James Orchestra

SUMMER SERENADE 2025 IS BACK!!!

Hello Music Lovers!

The Bruce James Orchestra and The City of Pitt Meadows are thrilled to announce the return of the SUMMER SERENADE CONCERT SERIES for Summer 2025!

Join the Bruce James Orchestra and other incredible local talent every Wednesday – July 7- August 27, 2025 – 7-9PM – for live music at Pitt Meadows’ Spirit Square (šxʷhék̓ʷnəs) – 11985 Harris Rd, Pitt Meadows (@ Civic Centre, next to the Rec Centre, City Hall and Community Police Centre).

Bring a camping chair, a cold beverage and some snacks/dinner and enjoy a night of music, community and fresh air amid the backdrop of beautiful Spirit Square!

All concerts are weather-permitting. Rain-outs will be called and announced by 5:00PM in the event of inclement weather and published on our website, the City’s website, and on our various social media channels.

SCHEDULE OF PERFORMERS:

JULY 2025:

Wed, July 9: Bruce James Orchestra – Host Ensemble

  • A 19-piece powerhouse jazz orchestra performing the classics of the big band era through to modern-day hits featuring vocalists Frank David and Shannon Messam.

Wed, July 16: Jazz Orchestra of the 49th Parallel

https://www.facebook.com/people/Jazz-Orchestra-of-the-49th-Parallel/61551245417593/

  • A 17-piece contemporary Jazz Ensemble performing new-era jazz classics from the arranging/composition libraries of Stan Kenton, Gordon Goodwin, Tom Kubis, Frank Mantooth and Michael Philip Mossman – just to name a few! This band grooves, and it grooves HARD. Don’t miss what is sure to be a great show!

Wed, July 23: Allegro Trio

https://agnt.com/talent/AllegroMusic

  • A dynamic force in the Vancouver musical sphere, Allegro has mastered a unique blend of pop, jazz, rock and soul favourites. Performing repertoire ranging in musical styles and through the decades, Allegro performs musical hits at their finest!  Featuring the smooth, sultry and sometimes sassy vocals of Loralee Parks, the piano and vocal stylings of Craig Zurba and the rhythmic artistry of drummer/percussionist Chris Murray Driver, this will be a performance not to miss. Come ready to sing along, and bring your dancing shoes!

Wed, July 30: The Bruce James Orchestra – Host Ensemble

  • A 19-piece powerhouse jazz orchestra performing the classics of the big band era through to modern-day hits featuring vocalists Frank David and Shannon Messam.

Wed, August 6: The Scary Lizards

https://www.facebook.com/scarylizards/

  • Performing an eclectic mix of musical styles, genres and eras, the Scary Lizards will bring their diverse offerings to the stage of Spirit Square. You’ll be singing along to all their popular tunes, and dancing to their captivating beats.

Wed, August 13: Double Overtime!

https://www.facebook.com/DoubleOvertimeBand/

  • Featuring the monster vocals of Shannon Messam and Matt Kennedy, a killer horn section and an utterly groovin’ rhythm section, you do NOT want to miss this show! Pop tunes? They do that. Funk selections: 100%. Rock tunes: you betcha. Soul classics? For sure. Come join the party at Spirit Square with Maple Ridge’s own, Double Overtime!

Wed, August 20: To Be Confirmed

Wed, August 27: The Bruce James Orchestra – Host Ensemble

[FINAL SHOW OF SUMMER 2025]

A 19-piece powerhouse jazz orchestra performing the classics of the big band era through to modern-day hits featuring vocalists Frank David and Shannon Messam.

Please email us: bruce@brucejamesorchestra.com with any questions!

We CAN’T WAIT to see YOU at SPIRIT SQUARE, Summer 2025!

The Bruce James Orchestra and the City of Pitt Meadows acknowledge with respect and gratitude that the City of Pitt Meadows and Sprit Square (šxʷhék̓ʷnəs) is located on the traditional, unceded territory of q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation who were stewards of this land since time immemorial. We stand with Indigenous peoples, committed to learning and evolving, as we acknowledge this historical truth and take meaningful steps towards reconciliation.

About Us: The BRUCE JAMES ORCHESTRA …

The Bruce James Orchestra is a musical organization which provides exceptional live big band entertainment in the Greater-Vancouver area of British Columbia. In it’s full format – the 19-piece Powerhouse Big Band with vocalists – we have been “Bringing the Best of Big Band” music to the Vancouver area since 1999.

We perform a variety of big band arrangements from the classic Big bands of the 1930’s such as Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Count Basie through the “crooner” hits of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, to the sultry sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, to present day swing classics from artists such as Michael Bublé, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jr and pop and rock hits from Artists such as Chicago, Stevie Wonder and Spyro Gyra – just to name a few!

The band performs for events such as dances, weddings, anniversaries, jazz clubs, pubs, fundraisers, corporate events, concerts in the park, and jazz vespers. We are an ensemble which prides itself on excellence – not only in our music, but in showmanship; we incorporate energy and flare in our performances, and showcase rehearsed choreography in our musical selections. We come equipped to be costumed in formal black tie and gown wear or our standard uniform – our “swing era” look – complete with fedoras, suspenders, swing shoes and our signature blacks with yellow ties.

The Bruce James Orchestra also has smaller subsidiary ensemble groupings:

  • An 11-piece “Little Big Band” – with or without Vocalist(s)
  • A 5-piece Jazz Combo – with or without Vocalist(s)
  • Solo Piano or Guitar

The band has been a musical presence in the Greater-Vancouver area for the past 26 years, and is always open to new performance opportunities.

Please reach out via email: bruce@brucejamesorchestra.com with questions or booking inquiries.

Thank you for your interest in the Bruce James Orchestra!

SUMMER SERENADE – AUGUST 21, 2024 w/ BRUCE JAMES ORHCESTRA

Hello friends, fans and members of the Pitt Meadows community!

We regret to inform you that due to a questionable weather forecast for this evening and the extensive need for electronics use with the big band, we are begrudgingly making the call to cancel our final Summer Serenade performance of 2024.

We have so appreciated everyone’s support of the summer 2024 series, and look forward to more events in the year to come. Keep an eye on the website for performance/show updates! You can also join our community group for updates: The Bruce James Orchestra on Facebook, or follow our organization’s page: Bruce James Orchestra – Vancouver Big Band.

We are already making plans for next summer, so hope you all continue to come out and support live music in your community.

HUGE THANKS to the City of Pitt Meadows, Mayor & Council and of course – all of you – our fans- for your support.

Have a great rest of your summer, and we look forward to seeing you at a future performance!

Warm regards,

  • Bruce, Andrea and all the members of the Bruce James Orchestra

SUMMER SERENADE 2024 is BACK!


The Bruce James Orchestra and musical guests will be back in Summer 2024 at šxʷhék̓ʷnəs (Spirit Square) 11985 Harris Rd, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B5 !

Join us on Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm July 3 to August 21, 2024! 

Bring a lawn/camping chair, blanket and snacks to enjoy over the backdrop of amazing live music at this free community summer concert series!

Family and pooch friendly event!

In the event of rain, performances will be cancelled. The Bruce James Orchestra website will be updated by 5:30PM day of notifying of any cancellation due to inclement weather.

Summer Serenade 2024 Schedule: 

FINAL SUMMER SERENADE of 2023: Wed. August 23rd – 7-9pm

Only one more week of Summer Serenade 2023 😢

Join the Meridian Jazz Orchestra – sister community jazz ensemble of the Bruce James Orchestra Vancouver Big Band – for the final night of our summer 2023 concert series. Next Wednesday, August 23rd, bid farewell to summer with the best of big band at Spirit Square Pitt Meadows, 7-9pm. Bring a camping chair, some grub, drinks, some bug spray [mosquitoes have been joining in for the show, too] 🙁 and your dancin’ shoes! The ice cream truck will be on site, too! Spirit Square is gonna SWING! Last one of the summer, folks! Let’s make it BIG!🎵👍❤️🥳

SUMMER SERENADE 2023

Hello Bruce James Orchestra followers!

Summer Serenade 2023 – our free outdoor community concert series – kicks off Wednesday, July 5, 2023 – 7pm at Spirit Square, Pitt Meadows.

There will be live music every Wednesday evening through the Summer (weather permitting):

July 5th – August 23rd, 2023.

Summer Serenade 2023 Schedule of Entertainment:

  • July 5: Bruce James Orchestra – The Best of Big Band
  • July 12: Double Overtime – R&B/Funk/Soul/Adult Contemporary
  • July 19: Bruce James Orchestra – The Best of Big Band
  • July 26: Allegro Trio – Adult Contemporary/Pop/Rock/Swing
  • August 2: The Leading Ladies Little Big Band – Swing & Jazz Classics
  • August 9: Bruce James Orchestra – The Best of Big Band
  • August 16: The Scary Lizards – Rhythm & Blues, Oldies and Rockin’ Dance Music
  • iAugust 23 (Closing show) Bruce James Orchestra – The Best of Big Band

Looking forward to seeing everyone this summer!

Bruce James, Band Leader – Bruce James Orchestra

BRUCE JAMES ORCHESTRA IS POWELL RIVER BOUND – APRIL 2023!

The Bruce James Orchestra is honoured to be invited back to the TOWNSITE JAZZ FESTIVAL!

We will be sharing the stages of the festival with many amazing performers, and have two of our own featured events on Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th, 2023.

Both of our events feature one of Canada’s top Lead Trumpet players – Vancouver-based Commercial Trumpeter and Endorsing Artist at Yamaha Canada – Mr. Michael Kim. The Bruce James Orchestra is excited to have him join us!

Check out the Townsite Jazz Artist and Event Line-Up here:

https://townsitejazz.com/featured/2023-festival-at-a-glance/