Pete Ellman Big Band
Residency: Inspiring the Next Generation
Each week throughout the school year, The Venue hosts the Pete Ellman Big Band residency. Student jazz groups featuring musicians ranging from middle school to college-age gain real-world experience on stage, while audiences experience the joy of discovering the next wave of local jazz talent.​​ FVMF and The Venue are extremely proud of and grateful for the partnership with the Pete Ellman Big Band.
Where mentorship meets music - and the future takes the stage.
About Pete Ellman Big Band
The Pete Ellman Big Band (PEBB) was formed in 2009 after Pete retired from the Illinois Air National Guard after 20 years of service. Since then, the band has played regularly throughout the Chicagoland's western suburbs. They regularly invite student jazz ensembles to join them and provide guest clinicians. This is a way to get these budding musicians into a real world environment playing the music they love in front of an appreciative audience. Additionally, PEBB hosts numerous fundraisers at their events to help raise money (and food / toys) for local non-profits. For Pete, it is all about giving back to the community to help kids, in general, and also to give kids an opportunity to participate in the arts.