Described by one of their many corporate clients as “the best big swing band in North America” THE
SPITFIRE BAND has delighted fans everywhere. Their CD’s sell consistently and they are regularly invited to
perform for the most prestigious events.
The late George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees, flew them down to Tampa to play a one-
nighter at his yacht club. Talk about enthusiasm!
Consisting of a total of eighteen people THE SPITFIRE BAND is conducted by arranger/trumpeter Micky Erbe,
who has also composed much of the sound track for many IMAX films. This goes to explain why THE SPITFIRE
BAND has such a huge repertoire of all the favorite hits of the big band era plus some excellent contemporary
material.
Most members of the band are leaders in their own right, and when they are together the music is simply the
best - great solos, impeccable section work and a tremendous rhythm section.
Concert engagements at New York’s Lincoln Centre and the Metropolitan Club, and a one-year run at the
Imperial room are just part of the excitement of this band. They have also backed up Rosemary Clooney, The
Mills Brothers, Helen O’Connell, and Tony Bennett among others.
Micky Erbe
Composer and arranger for 10 TV series, 20 TV movies, and several IMAX films, Micky Erbe has appeared
with Blue Rodeo, Barenaked Ladies, Tony Bennett, Leslie Uggams, Isaac Hayes, Willie Nelson, etc. Besides
his award-winning commercial jingles for radio and TV, his songs have been recorded by artists such as Anne
Murray, Glen Campbell and Nana Mouskouri.
Micky has arranged for the Canadian Brass, Isaac Hayes, Harry Chapin, Liona Boyd and many others.
Recipient of 4 Gemini Awards, 3 Socan Awards and multiple Gemini and Genie nominations, Micky co-
founded THE SPITFIRE BAND with Jackie Rae and Laurie Bower and performs with the BAND as conductor,
soloist and arranger. He is responsible for THE SPITFIRE BAND’S superbly updated charts of the best of big
band music.
Laurie Bower
Laurie received A Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Toronto and played with the big bands of
Benny Lewis, Ozzie Williams, Art Hallman, Ellis McLintock and Mart Kenny. He has pursued a career in various
recording studios as trombonist, singer and vocal arranger, in addition to his radio, TV and concert work.
Laurie also formed the Laurie Bower Singers and recorded 13 albums which have been well received in
Canada, Australasia, Britain, Japan and the United States. Laurie co-founded THE SPITFIRE BAND with
Jackie Rae and Micky Erbe, and performs with the band on trombone.
Jackie Rae (DFC, Order of Canada, 1922 - 2006).
Singer, songwriter, producer, and decorated Spitfire pilot, Jackie Rae co-founded THE SPITFIRE BAND with
Micky Erbe and Laurie Bower in 1981.
What they are saying:
Mel Torme: THE SPITFIRE BAND is tremendous! I can’t hear enough of them. The good old days
never sounded this good!
Rosemary Clooney: One of the greatest bands I have ever heard in my life.
Jack Wheeler WJAS: The greatest band ever! Period! End of discussion!
Larry Brewer WMB: Our most requested big band ever.
Bob Orr KKMG: THE SPITFIRE BAND is fabulous!
Bill Randle WRMR: The greatest band in the world today! Big time!
SPITFIRE BAND has delighted fans everywhere. Their CD’s sell consistently and they are regularly invited to
perform for the most prestigious events.
The late George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees, flew them down to Tampa to play a one-
nighter at his yacht club. Talk about enthusiasm!
Consisting of a total of eighteen people THE SPITFIRE BAND is conducted by arranger/trumpeter Micky Erbe,
who has also composed much of the sound track for many IMAX films. This goes to explain why THE SPITFIRE
BAND has such a huge repertoire of all the favorite hits of the big band era plus some excellent contemporary
material.
Most members of the band are leaders in their own right, and when they are together the music is simply the
best - great solos, impeccable section work and a tremendous rhythm section.
Concert engagements at New York’s Lincoln Centre and the Metropolitan Club, and a one-year run at the
Imperial room are just part of the excitement of this band. They have also backed up Rosemary Clooney, The
Mills Brothers, Helen O’Connell, and Tony Bennett among others.
Micky Erbe
Composer and arranger for 10 TV series, 20 TV movies, and several IMAX films, Micky Erbe has appeared
with Blue Rodeo, Barenaked Ladies, Tony Bennett, Leslie Uggams, Isaac Hayes, Willie Nelson, etc. Besides
his award-winning commercial jingles for radio and TV, his songs have been recorded by artists such as Anne
Murray, Glen Campbell and Nana Mouskouri.
Micky has arranged for the Canadian Brass, Isaac Hayes, Harry Chapin, Liona Boyd and many others.
Recipient of 4 Gemini Awards, 3 Socan Awards and multiple Gemini and Genie nominations, Micky co-
founded THE SPITFIRE BAND with Jackie Rae and Laurie Bower and performs with the BAND as conductor,
soloist and arranger. He is responsible for THE SPITFIRE BAND’S superbly updated charts of the best of big
band music.
Laurie Bower
Laurie received A Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Toronto and played with the big bands of
Benny Lewis, Ozzie Williams, Art Hallman, Ellis McLintock and Mart Kenny. He has pursued a career in various
recording studios as trombonist, singer and vocal arranger, in addition to his radio, TV and concert work.
Laurie also formed the Laurie Bower Singers and recorded 13 albums which have been well received in
Canada, Australasia, Britain, Japan and the United States. Laurie co-founded THE SPITFIRE BAND with
Jackie Rae and Micky Erbe, and performs with the band on trombone.
Jackie Rae (DFC, Order of Canada, 1922 - 2006).
Singer, songwriter, producer, and decorated Spitfire pilot, Jackie Rae co-founded THE SPITFIRE BAND with
Micky Erbe and Laurie Bower in 1981.
What they are saying:
Mel Torme: THE SPITFIRE BAND is tremendous! I can’t hear enough of them. The good old days
never sounded this good!
Rosemary Clooney: One of the greatest bands I have ever heard in my life.
Jack Wheeler WJAS: The greatest band ever! Period! End of discussion!
Larry Brewer WMB: Our most requested big band ever.
Bob Orr KKMG: THE SPITFIRE BAND is fabulous!
Bill Randle WRMR: The greatest band in the world today! Big time!
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| BELL STAGE Saturday |
