A decade in full swing: Chester Big Band celebrate their ten-year anniversary
- Modelski Music
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
Picture the scene: it's 2016, in a tiny scout hut in Upton-by-Chester. A handful of good amateur big band players are about to welcome their new MD, who will also double as their drummer. It's hoped that the group will be able to gather enough good repertoire together to start doing some local gigs, whilst keeping alive an ensemble which had - for many years - borne the name of the great local musician Len Cooper.
Fast forward ten years and, well, we'd like to think it's 'mission accomplished'. Directed by our very own Jan Modelski, Chester Big Band, - as the group had renamed themselves - have completed gigs aplenty on a large scale; they've grown a bit (and managed to find a drummer or two in the process!); they've even won a rather large-scale competition. This summer, they celebrate their ten-year anniversary with a gala concert at Storyhouse in Chester - see below for our latest press release, and further below for a little photo history:
From a 12-piece outfit crafting their early sound in a scout hut to a 35-strong big band powerhouse gracing the stages of our region’s finest venues, Chester Big Band’s rise to the forefront of the local live music scene has been an incredible journey. Now, final rehearsals are underway for a very special performance as the band prepares to celebrate a decade in full swing.
The ensemble - whose players are all good amateur and semi-professional musicians - evolved from the Len Cooper Big Band, a group who had kept jazz alive for many years but sadly found its numbers diminishing. Fortunes began to change in 2016 when those running the band decided to advertise for a new musical director. Up stepped Jan Modelski: community music champion and successful leader of several other local musical outfits including Chester Community Orchestra, which he started himself in 2001 and continues to grow and improve some 25 years later. Directing from behind the drum kit during his early years, Jan was instrumental in attracting several new players to the group and they soon began to perform at local community events to rave reviews.
Fast forward to present day and whilst the band continue to serve the community, their list of past engagements is rather impressive. As well as regular bookings at local corporate and charity galas, Chester Big Band have graced the stage during high profile public events at Cholmondeley Castle, Chester Cathedral and Wrexham’s Bellevue Park. They have also made several appearances at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, where they were proud winners of the inaugural Community Bands competition in 2023.
Having previously hosted two successful headline concerts at Chester’s Storyhouse, Chester Big Band return there this July with a musical extravaganza in celebration of their anniversary. ‘TEN’ will take the audience on a musical journey through the past decade, showcasing the band’s favourite pieces alongside a sneak preview of what’s to come as the band prepare to tackle fresh challenges. “The past decade has been an incredible journey,” says Jan Modelski, who is now able to direct the band from the front. “The success of this ensemble is a wonderful illustration of what can be achieved when local people with a common passion come together. This anniversary show is a celebration of our community, of making great music and introduces the next exciting chapter for the band. Our ambition knows no bounds, so we’re excited to see where the next ten years take us!”
Catch Chester Big Band: TEN live at Storyhouse on Sunday 12th July 2026, 19.30. Tickets are on sale now at www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/chester-big-band-ten/
Find out more about Chester Big Band and Jan Modelski at www.modelskimusic.com You can also follow the band on Facebook and Instagram.
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