Orcatrazz Swing Band will celebrate 20 years this summer

— by Deborah Sparks, Orcas Issues reporter —

Orcatrazz Swing Band will play their 20^th Anniversary performance at the Stage on the Green August 17, playing music from all eras including the swing band era of the 1940s right up to today’s modern rock and roll classics.

The band performs six to eight shows a year for community events, dances, weddings and has been featured at the San Juan County Fair. Bandleader Ken Speck has performed and traveled extensively with his own band for a number of years before coming to live on Orcas Island and putting together his band, Orcatrazz.

Virgil Cleveland, the founder and first conductor of the Community Band was asked to find musicians to play in the park during the busy tourist season. He asked around and pulled together five musicians, Ken Speck being one of the musicians, and referred to this little band as the “Boys in the Band.” When Cleveland decided to move on from band leading, Speck kept the group together. In 1998, the name of the band changed as a result of Ken’s wife and trombone player, Karen Speck, commented that living on Orcas was like living on Alcatraz, “we’re stuck on an island.” The band was renamed, “Orcatrazz,” and grew into a 17 piece big band that plays music for every taste.

Orcatrazz Swing Band has always mentored student musicians giving them a broad experience of playing with some very talented musicians. New student additions this year are Ryan and Justin Derr on Saxophone and Clarinet and Ewan Lister on Trumpet.

The Band has members with varied experiences and talents ranging from amateur to professional, including music teachers, and studio musicians.

Most of all, they are all committed to having fun and enjoying making music together.