Highlights from Caravane's Short History

2002

July - Meeting to discuss the creation of a big band in the Outaouais.
September - First rehearsal of Big Band Caravane at école Côte du Nord in the Mont-Bleu sector of Hull. The following musicians were present at this inaugural rehearsal under the musical direction of Bernard Cloutier:
Saxophonists : Bernard Cloutier, Jean-Pierre Moisan, Denis St-Onge, Sylvain Lalonde and Jocelyn Sirois.
Trombonist : Marc Sirois.
Trumpeters: Jacques Fontaine, Richard Lapointe, Jean Calvé and Don Baragar.
Rythmn section : Maryse Courchesne (piano), Jean-Martin Deslauriers (guitar), Tammy Clemiss (bass), Bernard Roy (drums) and Barry Murray (percussion).
November - First Big Band Caravane gig as an opening act at the Annual Gala of the Portages School Board.

2003

February - First big gala: St-Valentine's Dance for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Outaouais.

2004

February- First concert at Centrepointe Theatre in Nepean.
May - Big Band Caravane on television during Breakfast at the New RO.

2005

February - St Valentine's Ball at the Museum of Civilisation, one of the top 5 events on Ottawa-Gatineau's social calendar.
March - Recording of a demo.
June - Caravane plays the main stage of the Ottawa International Jazz Festival as the opening act for TRIO! a group composed of Jean-Luc Ponty, Bela Fleck and Stanley Clarke.
November - Caravane completes it's first two gigs at the Lac Leamy Hilton.

2006

March - We record our second demo and it rocks (can you say that in jazz? : - ) ). You are probably listening to a clip now.
July - On the 18th of this month, CARAVANE played the Bayou for a 4th time. Nothing special you might say. However, on the morning of that day, the owner of the building changed the locks because of rent unpaid. The show went on anyway and will go down into the legend of CARAVANE. A real life case of "the show must go on". Ask us about it!

2007

January - Caravane adds a new female vocalist to its roster, Caroline Cook, to take on a number of pop tunes for corporate gigs.
May - Caravane adds two new venues to its list when it plays the War Museum for the official Welcome to the War Brides on May 13 and the National Arts Centre for the Doucet-Stewart wedding reception in the Panorama Room.
September - ...and the band continues to improves. This month we added a new pianist, Daniel Boucher; two new trumpeters, Frédéric Paci and Caroline Fillion; and saxophonist, Pete Pereira. Kieran Milne returns as male vocalist and music director after a short absence. With such a line-up, how can anyone else say they're the best?

2008

February - Caravane's jazz concert at the Library and Archives Canada is a smashing success. The show titled HOT JAZZ ON A WINTER NIGHT featured guest artist musician/composer/arranger Vince Rimbach.
June - Oh What a magical night it was! TRIBUTE TO LIONEL HAMPTON with California vibraphonist Lee Schipper presented in the National Arts Centre Studio Series of the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
August - Caravane's first ever performance at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival was a smashing success and greatly appreciated by the audience and the organizers.

Now Playing: Catch Phrase (composed and arranged by Steve Brown; recorded by Caravane in March 2006).