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Bill Sargent Bands

Bill Sargent Bands

About Me

"They're the tightest, most solid ensemble of expert musicians Milwaukee may ever see. Sargent shines . . ." - The Milwaukee Journal

Celebrating 25 years of serving Wisconsin's finest clients and 25 years of never missing or canceling an engagement for any reason!

25 years ago on November 18, 1982 we debuted our band in the Ballroom of the Bavarian Inn in Glendale (Milwaukee), Wisconsin.

We went from no engagements, to all the very best engagements for the top events and venues in the next two years. Since then, we have gained an international reputation for quality music and entertainment.

We perform for Concerts, Weddings, Conventions, Festivals, Country Clubs, Fundraisers, Corporate Events, Formal Balls, Ballroom Dances, Anniversaries, Grand Openings, Picnics, Tailgate Parties, Celebrations, Birthdays, TV, Radio, General Entertainment, Holidays, Ethnic, Jewish and Christian Events.

Our line-up includes a "REALLY Big Band", a standard 16-piece Big Band with 2 vocalists, Small Groups including Quartets, Trios, Duos, Soloists and a Dixieland Band. We also have Christian Bands and Musicians.

We specialize in Swing, Jazz (Traditional, Dixieland and Straight-Ahead), Big Band, Ballroom, Variety and Christian Music.

Over the years, we have had the VERY BEST musicians in Milwaukee, in Wisconsin, and from around the nation, perform with our bands.

Aretha Franklin, The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Ink Spots, Steve Allen, Pat Metheny, Bowzer from Sha-Na-Na & The Stingrays, Buddy DeFranco, Bob Schulz, Ritchie Cole, Heinie Beau, Dick Contino, Sam Most, Bob Havens, Barrett Deems, Chuck Hedges, Dan Nimmer, Bobby Lewis, Karolyn Kafer, Dave Gannett, Steve Jensen, Paul Wertico, Cliff Almond, Roger Pemberton, Jesse Hauck, Annette Griffin, Michael Bettine, Dick Eliot, Jack Grassel, Howard Schneider and all of the finest musicians in Wisconsin have performed with a Bill Sargent Band.

We have consistently employed more musicians per engagement (on average) and provided more work for musicians in our area over a longer period of time than any other band in existence and probably in the history of the state of Wisconsin.

While other band leaders have cut their big band into imitation big bands, our big band has always remained our big band. We have never cut corners on quality. If someone can't afford us for the gig, we just won't do the gig. I've always felt it was better to let some other band go in and sound bad.

Now, that all said, there have been engagements where a small band, such as a trio, quartet or quintet, and on, have been totally appropriate. In those instances, we have provided exactly what the client needed. But, overall, we have provided a lot of work for the musicians in southeastern Wisconsin and helped provide for many, many families. Many rent and mortgage payments have been met because of work provided by our bands as a result of our fantastic clients.

We have also been a fertile situation for musicians to network and make connections with other musicians. Many musicians have been able to make connections on our bands that have enabled new career opportunities and take their careers to new levels. This has been because of the high level of musicianship and professionalism that we employ and expect. Some people have even met their husband or wife on our band.

We have a VERY extensive website at:

BillSargentBands.com


PLEASE NOTE: The vast majority of performances we do are private engagements, such as weddings, corporate events, social events and conventions.

Therefore, you'll never know about most of our performances.

However, we are pleased to offer you the public performances listed above under UPCOMING SHOWS. These appearances are rare, and we hope you'll take advantage of them and enjoy them!

IMPORTANT: If the event requires tickets, please honor that requirement. If you come "just to 'check out the band' in the back of the room", and you do not have a ticket, you will be asked to leave. We want our clients to enjoy the very best experience possible. Thank you for your understanding.


You are listening to 2 minute* samples of some of the songs on our new CD,

"The Best Of Bill Sargent Bands - Volume 1"

*The sample for the song "That's A-Plenty" runs 3:20 so you can hear some of our fantastic musicians. You'll get to sample Sax, Clarinet, Trombone & Trumpet solos. The full track runs 8:59.

To securely download hi-quality mp3s of individual tracks,
the entire album,
or artwork - included with full album purchase,
please click on DigStation below.


DigStation - Indie Music Downloads


To get more details about this CD or purchase the actual CD securely using
PayPal,
credit cards,
checks,
or checks via snail mail,
go to:

BillSargentBands.com/recordings.htm


If you need assistance in ordering or have any questions,
please don't hesitate to call me at:

414-777-0100
Click HERE for a Tunepak widget you can carry with you
or email to your friends!


My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/30/2007
Band Website: BillSargentBands.com
Band Members: Bill Sargent & some of the finest musicians on the planet!
Influences:

God / Jesus

Sissel

Ella Fitzgerald

Count Basie

Benny Goodman

Louis Armstrong

Gene Krupa

Louie Bellson

Buddy Rich

Eddie Condon

Ray McKinley

Pete Fountain

Matty Matlock

The Mills Brothers

Manhattan Transfer

The Andrews Sisters

Louis Prima

Frank Sinatra

Bobby Darin

Jack Sperling

Hal Blaine

Artie Shaw

Harry James

Tommy Dorsey

Duke Ellington

Oscar Peterson

Teddy Wilson

Lionel Hampton

Slam Stewart

Bob Schulz

Uncle Yoke's Black Dog Jazz Band

Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band

Bill Allred's Rosie O'Grady's Jazz Band

Ed Reed & The Riverboat Five

Dave Gannett

Chuck Hedges

Ed Metz Jr.

Hal Smith

Brad Pregeant

Barrett Deems

Clyde Stubblefield
Tower Of Power

Elvin Bishop

James Brown

Randy Travis

Asleep At The Wheel

Blood Sweat & Tears

All of the Count Basie drummers

Most of Motown

The Funk Brothers

& every other musician & band I've ever heard!


Sounds Like:

A combination of all the above.

Jazz,
Swing,
Big Band,
Dixieland,
New Orleans,
Traditional Jazz,
Small Group Jazz.

Featuring:
Drums,
Clarinet,
Trumpets,
Trombones,
Saxes,
Piano,
Guitar,
Banjo,
Bass,
and Vocals.
All real instruments,
played by real people,
playing real music . . .
it's the real deal!


Record Label: Bill Sargent Bands
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

NEWS! The Latest News!

Here's the news: We have just released our new CD - "The Best Of Bill Sargent Bands - Volume 1"! You can purchase the CD or MP3s at: http://billsargentbands.com/recordings.htm The tracks on this sit...
Posted by Bill Sargent Bands on Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:10:00 PST

Reviews of "The Best Of Bill Sargent Bands - Volume 1"

What a great early Christmas present! I wanted to play it through a couple times before I reacted. I'm very grateful for it and hope it does well for you in the Christmas marketplace...as it should.My...
Posted by Bill Sargent Bands on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:17:00 PST

Our NEW CD!

We have just released our new CD: "The Best Of Bill Sargent Bands - Volume 1"COMPLETE details, songs samples and the ability to purchase either the hard copy CD, or the whole album or individual track...
Posted by Bill Sargent Bands on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:25:00 PST

Bill Sargent Bands Personnel

Following are very talented people who have or currently do perform with a Bill Sargent Band.*   WE HAVE BACKEDAretha Franklin The Ink Sports The Shirelles The Drifters Dick Conte Buddy DeFr...
Posted by Bill Sargent Bands on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:10:00 PST

Bill Sargents Biography

This year, Bill is celebrating 40 years as a professional drummer. In that 40 years, he has never missed an engagement for any reason!Bill began playing piano at age 8 and switched to the drums at age...
Posted by Bill Sargent Bands on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:54:00 PST