Swing Time Big Band has deep roots in Montgomery Village

Long-time Village resident Don Hayden is a humble musician with a pretty big secret. About an 18-piece secret—Hayden leads a large swing band, and has done so for over 20 years. Hayden says a long time ago during his 35-year tenure as a Village resident he belonged to the Montgomery Village Community Band, along with several other members of the current ensemble. After having taken a break from music to focus on family and careers, they got the bug to play again.

Before forming Swing Time Big Band in November 1998, Hayden found his way back to music through more community band experience. During that time, he met several other experienced musicians with a similar story, and it wasn’t long before the big band idea was born. Through networking, Hayden was able to put together a cohesive group of talented musicians.

Hayden envisioned a large-piece big band that would play the charts of the 1930s and 1940s—classics from Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and the like. Today that vision has blossomed into and extensive library of hits played by some of the best local talent. Swing Time Big Band boasts a regular lineup of 17 energetic and seasoned musicians and a vocalist that perform danceable rhythms for any event.

The band has performed for many events and crowds over the past 20 years, including the Montgomery Village Lawn Theater, Ft. Myers Officers Club, The Big Band Society, Bodkin Yacht Club, Gaithersburg Old Town Day, In the Streets in Frederick, and many more.

Hayden says that while he is not currently looking for any new musicians, Swing Time Big Band is always looking for new ears to play for. During pandemic restrictions, the band was able to rehearse—safely following all guidelines, indoors and outdoors, masked and distanced—to maintain their chops. Hayden notes they are well rehearsed and ready to play the true Big Band sound. He calls it “Big Band, not Big Price.”

A new website is being developed, but in the meantime, you can check out Hayden and the Swing Time Big Band online at www.swingtimeband.com.