North County Big Band, St. Louis, Missouri

The North County Big Band was formed by Harvey Lockhart, Riverview Gardens’ High School Band Director, jazz pianist Peter Martin and The Sheldon Arts Foundation in early 2015 when Mr. Lockhart envisioned creating a community jazz big band, for North County St. Louis students and other underserved districts, to serve and support talented high school musicians under stress after the tragic events in Ferguson, Missouri. Now in its second year, this collaborative big band is made up of some of the most talented and dedicated students from several St. Louis, Missouri area high schools, including Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, Hazelwood Central High School, Normandy High School, Riverview Gardens High School and University City High School. Students rehearse throughout the semester on weekday evenings at The Sheldon’s concert hall with coaching provided by leading educators and musicians including Lockhart, Thomas Moore of Normandy Middle School, Delano Redman of East St. Louis Lincoln Middle School and East St. Louis High, and renowned jazz pianist Peter Martin. 

The NCBB has performed throughout the St. Louis area at both public and private events including Six Flags, St. Louis’ City Gardens and The Gateway Arch, and opening-up for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis concert in October 2015 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.