Craig Boche | Rod Pierson | Credits

The Rod Pierson Big Band featuring Craig Boche

For any event, there is no substitute for the class and excitement that a Big Band can create. The arrangements are authentic and selected from the libraries of America's most popular artists. The Rod Pierson Big Band has a history of over 35 years performing for audiences at a variety of public and private events throughout the Midwest. Many of the band members have been involved from the beginning – a point that should not be overlooked when considering a match to your unique musical needs. Add to this Craig Boche's vocal delivery and style at the mic and you'll enjoy a dynamic and entertaining presentation ranging from Martin & Sinatra's Rat Pack classics through Bublé & Connick's fresh approach to Big Band today.

The Rod Pierson "Not So" Big Band

The "Not So" Big Band plays a variety of music including big band, jump swing, latin, jazz standards, dixieland, blues and rock. Vocalist Craig Boche performs hits spanning decades of America's most popular singers. The smaller size (7) allows for a bit more flexibility in programming. The arrangements are written specifically for vocal, sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, and drums. The "Not So" Big Band is a great choice for your wedding reception, private party, or corporate event. The smaller ensemble provides a big sound at a reduced cost for budget and space considerations. This group really entertains!

For Craig Boche, the songs he sings are filled with beauty, love, passion, and romance - the very things that make life worth living. The music and lyrics intertwine to make the perfect recipe of class and cool.

Ever since he can remember, Craig has been drawn to the voices of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Julie London, Nat Cole and many more. He didn't just listen to them, he learned from them. By studying their recordings and TV appearances, Craig absorbed various attributes such as; phrasing of the lyric, voice inflection, audience interaction, stage presence, humor, song selection...all seemingly effortless nuances. When considering sound, look and feel, it is not an overstatement to say that this music IS Craig Boche, it's what he's made of.

Over the years, Craig has given countless performances in venues all over the Midwest. Audiences area amazed by the quality and authenticity of his voice. From soft romantic ballads to traditional "ring a ding" swing, wild "jump" tunes (and everything in between) you'll hear his vocal depth, accuracy and versatility. Although his voice and style have been compared to Martin, Sinatra, Darin's and others, in the end his voice remains uniquely his own. Craig's stage presence and interaction with the audience create a blend of irreverent elegance and modern day cool which leaves crowds cheering for more.

Julia Rich may have put it best..."Connick, Bublé, and any of those other guys don't have anything on Craig". Combine Craig Boche with Rod Pierson, along with the world class musicians in The Rod Pierson Big Band, and you'll need to prepare to be entertained on a whole new level!

Along with his passion for creating great music, Rod Pierson enjoys the special interaction with people that can only be shared through live music. He adds, "This music is still very much alive and topical...reaching a special place inside everyone who experiences it. With Big Band once holding the distinction as "America's Most Popular Music" and Jazz often being referred to as "America's Gift to The World", I believe, as long as people appreciate songs about love and relationships (good and bad), Swing and Jazz music will continue to speak to us with vitality and meaning."

Rod's experiences as a musician include long term stints with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Moe Band, Hunter Fuerste's Vintage Orchestra, and the Guy Lombardo Orchestra. Jazz credits include performances with Woody Herman, Natalie Cole, John Pizzarelli, and Ann Hampton Callaway, to name a few. Rod has also backed such popular artists as Aretha Franklin, Burt Bacharach, The Tempatations, Bob Hope and more. Add to this a list of nearly 25 different Broadway Musical touring company pit performances over the years, and you can understand the standard for quality that Rod strives to meet with every performance.

Rod has served as President for JEI (Jazz Educators of Iowa) and is sharing his musical experiences through clinics and guest solo performances with Educators and an entirely new generation of Jazz and Big Band entusiasts.  Rod is grateful to all those he has been privileged to work with, and looks forward to passing on his knowledge of this truly "American Form".  He has also served as the Jazz Ensemble Director at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and is proud to be entering his 33rd year of service to music education as Director or Road Sales at West Music Company in Coralville, Iowa.

The Rod Pierson Big Band Featuring Craig Boche has gained widespread success due to not only Rod's personal experience, but by equally noting the musicians he is surrounded by. Each band member's energy and experience are viewed as key ingredients to the distinct sound they produce together as a unit. The Band's delivery is fresh, tastefully irreverent, and can best be expressed as