Name: Vermont Jazz Center Big Band Scholarship Dance
Start: 2025-12-12T19:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-12-12T20:30:00-05:00
Location: Vermont Jazz Center

Vermont Jazz Center Big Band Scholarship Dance

Friday, December 12, 2025

7:30 pm

Vermont Jazz Center

In-person & live streamed

The 18-piece Vermont Jazz Center Big Band returns for its annual swing dance gala, this year featuring the acclaimed vocalist, pianist, & composer Peter Eldridge.

A founding member of the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble New York Voices, Eldridge has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, & The Kennedy Center,& has recorded & toured with legendary artists including Bobby McFerrin, Michael Brecker, George Benson, Paquito D’Rivera, & Chanticleer.

Eldridge’s solo projects - including Disappearing Day (Sunnyside Records), which was called “an out-and-out masterpiece” by All About Jazz—have landed on Best of the Year lists from DownBeat, Jazziz, & NPR.

Eldridge’s recent collaboration with pianist Kenny Werner, Somewhere features a 40-member orchestra & a world-class jazz quartet.

The VJC Big Band, comprised of professional musicians from the region, performs classic & contemporary big band arrangements to raise funds for the Vermont Jazz Center’s Scholarship Fund.

Now in its 21st year, the ensemble thrives thanks to the steadfast leadership of Music Director Rob Freeberg & the unwavering dedication of Band Manager & baritone saxophonist Sherm Fox, who helped establish the group in 2004.

December’s Annual Gala is the primary fundraiser for the Fund, which grants an annual average of over $10,000 worth of scholarships to students, offsetting fees for ensembles, private lessons & numerous educational programs.

All proceeds from this event will be earmarked towards benefiting students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to pursue their musical objectives.