Press Release
The Backus Community Center in International Falls is excited to host the “Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience” this Saturday (Oct. 1).
This will mark the second performance in the 2016-17 Backus Performing Arts Series and is sure to be an unbelievable night.
The “Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience” fuses the pulse of big band with the edge of contemporary pop; bringing a new evolution of the classics to you.
They perform contemporary songs with the big band punch.
But the band creates more than music. They create feelings and experiences.
Shaun Johnson is an Emmy-winning singer/songwriter originally from a small town in Iowa. He found his home in Saint Cloud, Mn. while attending Saint John’s University.
That is where his career began with the nationally-known vocal group, Tonic Sol-fa.
Johnson has conducted hundreds of high school and collegiate vocal master classes, and also has performed more than 2,500 shows.
He has entertained with Jay Leno and was featured in Newsweek.
Johnson strived to bring an innovative big band experience to audiences, and put together his group featuring some of the best instrumentalists and arrangers in the U.S. Midwest.
His vision was to create a contemporary big band sound with a pop flair, honouring legends like Frank Sinatra, with a nod to Michael Bublé, while giving the music his own twist.
The group performs songs ranging from the “Spiderman Theme” to originals from U.S. songwriters.
While Johnson’s group is in International Falls, they will have outreach at local schools, as well as offering a master class for local residents, all taking place tomorrow (Sept. 30).
Then they will bring their edge to the stage Saturday at 7 p.m.
Season tickets are available at the Backus Community Center or online at www.backusab.org
The cost is $55 for Backus members and $65 for non-members.
Backus members also receive two complimentary “Bring a Friend” tickets.
Individual tickets are sold at Backus and City Drug in the Falls, J&D Family Foods in Littlefork, and Betty’s in Fort Frances.
They cost $12 for adults, $25 for families, and $6 for students (children under five are free).
