Michael Garding grew up in the Okanagan. His first exposure to Big Band music was in the high school band in Winfield. Upon finishing school, he enrolled in the prestigious music program at Grant Mac Ewan College in Edmonton.  Studying under such musical greats as the legendary Tommy Banks, Michael honed his performing skills and broadened his musical repertoire.   After a few years of performing in Edmonton, he decided to return to the Okanagan.

Since returning to the Kelowna area, Michael has performed with a variety of local groups including  "The Blenders", "The Shuffle Kings",  "Just In Time" and then The Westside Jazz Band, where Michael found a return to his musical roots. In fact, one of the other band members was Michael’s high school band teacher Derek Turvey   The band played periodically for a few years and subsequently folded as musicians moved away and moved on to other projects. After the dissolution of The Westside Jazz Band, Michael felt a void.

Conversations with other  former band members revealed that they felt the same.  In addition, the only other band of its type, The Deschner Big Band, had also dissolved, leaving a pool of musicians from which to draw.  A few phone calls, and the Michael Garding Big Band was born.

This band is truly a labour of love . For more than five years, each of the members has dedicated 3 hours every week to rehearsing with the band in addition to practicing on their own time. Their range now extends past the classic big bands of Glenn Miller and Count Basie, to music by Colin James and Brian Setzer, as well as arrangements Michael has brought to the band.

 
Michael Garding