Our Story
The Rhythm Section Jazz Band was formed in June of 2002 for the purpose of reading through the Paul Sherwood Chart Library. This is a collection of over 4,000 arrangements for jazz band, big band, dance orchestras and theater orchestras.
This is a "Little Big Band" and has 10 musicians as follows: alto sax, tenor sax, alto sax, trombone, trumpet, piano, guitar, bass, drums and singer. We also perform in other configurations from solo piano, duo, trio, quartet to full 18 piece stage band
The band has held over 55 recording sessions and then evolved into live entertainment, playing engagements in Michigan, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Muskegon, East Lansing, Otsego, Gaylord, Rockford, Lowell, Cedar Springs, Sparta, Sagatuck, Douglas, Holland, Ludington, Mount Pleasant, Freemont, Traverse City, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Bay City, St Joesph, Lakeside, Chicago, Joliet IL, Manistee, Grand Ledge, Alpena, Big Rapids, Lakeside, Plainwell, Sheboygan WI and will go wherever live jazz is needed. Dancers love us.
If you would like to hire a jazz band, dance band, big band, stage band, jazz combo, swing band, latin dance band, wedding band, please contact Paul Sherwood (616) 241-0554, ext. 15, or e-mail paulsherwood@grar.com.
We are a great choice for your event, because, we play in many styles: latin, foxtrot, tango, samba, cha-cha, mambo, begiune, classic jazz, standards, waltz, be-bop, pop-rock, even some country and polkas if requested, and music from the 1920's, 30', 40''s, 50's, 60,s 70, 80's, and 90's.
TESTIMONIAL; Truly the success of the party, this band was perfect for the occasion. Guests loved them, the Country Club administration loved them, and my whole family loved them. -Susan S, 9/17/2005, Anniversary, Lakeside, MI
TESTIMONIAL; Hi Paul, I wanted to say thank you to you and the band for doing such a great job at our wedding reception on Saturday.
The Rhythm Section Jazz Band was by far the highlight of the reception, and had all our guests raving about your performance. Molly and I received many, many well-deserved compliments from our guests about your performance. The band sounded excellent, and put on a top-notch show that was personal and professional. We loved every song. It was perfect.
Again, thank you to the band for making our wedding everything we imagined. Keep up the great work!
Best, Chris Dimick, Chicago, Murphy Auditorium 10/18/2008
TESTIMONIAL; Dear Paul & The Rhythm Section Jazz Band, Thank you so much for doing a wonderful job performing at our wedding reception!
The Music was incredible and I'm still getting compliments from our guests. You are all extremely talented.
Thanks for being so progessional and easy to work with.
Paul, thank you for your help with the audio clips for the videographer. Regards, Caitlin & Barrett, Holland MI, Point West, 10/04/2008
TESTIMONIAL; Very talented musicians, they worked on a special request we had for a song in only 4 weeks. They are a great band if you are looking for jazz or swing for your event. Andrew G., South Haven, MI 9/8/2007
TESTIMONIAL; Paul Sherwood and the Rhythm Section did a marvelous job at our wedding reception! Everyone loved the music - it fit our diverse crowd extremely well. The band was also very welcoming to my cousin, who not only sang at our wedding but also performed several numbers with the band. We received rave reviews about the unique music, and the dance floor was occupied almost all night! I would highly recommend this group for any occasion - live music added a finishing touch of elegance to our event! Julie L., Grand Rapids, MI, 5/18/2007
TESTIMONIAL; We were so pleased with the Rhythm Section Jazz Band. Their talent level is amazing, and they were very accommodating to our needs and requests. The pianist even learned an accompaniment for our ceremony without the aid of sheet music. They set the tone for our whole evening. We got tons of compliments on their performance, and would definitely recommend them for any event. -Jacquelyn Y, 5/23/2008, Wedding, Joliet, IL
TESTIMONIAL; The Rhythm Section Jazz Band of Grand Rapids were a hit in our small town of Alpena. The audience were swept away with reminisce of youth, dance and swing. Many attending wanted to listen and tap their feet all night long. We were impressed beyond words - loving every minute of Francesca's beautiful voice and appreciating the bands professionalism. -Bridge W, 12/7/2007, Dinner Dance, Alpena, MI
AVAILABLE FOR: Anniversaries, Awards Nights, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Casinos, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Cruise Ships, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Ski Lodges, Sorority Function, Studio Session, Temples, TV Soundtracks, Symphony Orchestra Jazz Features including tributes to Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Raymond Scott and other greats and Weddings
To Hire The Rhythm Section Jazz Band for your event, Please Contact; Paul Sherwood, paulsherwood@grar.com, Off (616) 241-0554, ext 15
www.BigBandBeat.com
PITCH;
We have worked very hard to put together 'books' of different styles of music to give our clients more choices. We can choose our favorite songs to best fit your event or you can help us choose your favorites.
1. Swing is our speciality.
2. But, if we pull out the 'pop rock book' then get ready to rock, because we play over 150 songs from the 1960's, 70's and 80's.
3. If Dance is your thing, then, let us bounce, jump, fox trot, mambo, rhumba, tango, conga, cha-cha, samba, stomp, swing and waltz your group to nirvana.
The Rhythm Section Jazz Band core is a 10 piece 'Little Big Band' and consists of 1st sax alto/clarinet, 2nd sax tenor/clarinet, 3rd sax alto/soprano, trombone, trumpet, piano, guitar, bass, drums and vocalist.
If you prefer, we also play as a full big band with 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets and full rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums).
Or, we break down to any smaller size combo. Our pianist is available to play earlier for cocktails and dinner or the whole night if that's all you need.
We, also, perform as a post bop quartet with saxophone, piano, bass, and drums.
If you need a studio band, recording sessions are our bread and butter.
We can provide a pit orchestra for your next play, on or off Broadway.
TRS has a commitment to excellence and professionalism that assures a successful outcome for your event's entertainment. Not only are the musicians top notch, but, our crew sets up the band well advance of the musicians' arrival. The PA equipment that we travel with is of the finest quality and our people are the nicest in the industry.
Thank you for looking and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Paul Sherwood, band leader
INFLUENCES: Our influences come the great band leaders of 1900's, like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Paul Whiteman, Chic Webb, Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, and others,