The Robbinsdale City Band
RCB Jazz Band History
Originally, the Robbinsdale City Band (RCB), was a concert and marching band. Numerous times, sub-groups of the RCB were formed for special occasions or events.
In the early '60s, an early sub-group of the RCB was a Big Band or Jazz Band under the direction of Don Schirmer. That first RCB Jazz Band was an outgrowth of an independent band known as the "Offbeats" and charts in the RCB current music library are still identified as belonging to the "Offbeats" and Don Schirmer. The band fizzled after Schirmer moved on from directing the RCB.
Locally renowned Robbinsdale optician John Luckow, a regular tenor saxophonist in the RCB in the early '70s, had performed in several jazz band in earlier days. He had acquired a considerable library of music and knew several local jazz band artists. Luckow created a sub-group within the RCB to play Big Band dance charts. This sub-group was enhanced with non-RCB members and was known as the "JL Big Band." The earliest song lists and photos of this group are from 1975.
For more than 20 years, The "JL Big Band" played dances at the Robbinsdale American Legion, church festivals, numerous wedding dances, and other "gigs" for more than 20 years until 1998. Notable "JL Big Band" engagements included performing as weekend entertainment at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd, MN, a highlight for many of the local band members.
Some years after conductor Mike Serber took over the RCB baton and with interest from several alumni of the "JL Big Band," he and the Jazz Band reestablished in 2014. The motivator was a young bride, also a member of the group, who wanted jazz band music to be performed at her wedding reception!
The band stayed late following regular rehearsals, and practiced several hundred charts that were currently filed in band archives. Eventually, the RCB Jazz Band performed at several of the RCB concerts that summer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the RCB Jazz Band was the first unit to gather in the Robbinsdale City Hall parking lot to play a live music rehearsal, following all standards for protocol spacing, instrument protective bags and masking for health safety.
Currently, the RCB Jazz Band performs several numbers prior to most outdoor RCB concerts during the summer season. With a library of nearly 300 pieces, the 20+ members of the RCB Jazz Band maintain several dozen musical arrangements ready to perform throughout the concert season.