Peter Irwin (Elvis) performs with The Lulu’s Band at a sold out Saturday afternoon performance at the 21st annual Canadian Big Band Celebration, 2015.

The 22nd annual Canadian Big Band Celebration will soon be on our weekend doorstep as the event rolls out on September 16, 17 and 18.

The celebration will feature a stellar line-up of top musical entertainment with outstanding groups and performers from near and far.

Friday Night Jazz will get underway at 7 p.m. The SS Trolley and one other shuttle bus will be available to all who purchase a $15 passport to the Friday Night event which also provides access to eight Friday Night Jazz hot spots and a wonderful one-act musical theatre performance that will take you on a journey to the dance pavilions of the 1940s with two performances at 7 and 9 p.m.

Queens Bar & Grill - Sharon Musgrave and Friends will perform. Sharon is considered one of Hamilton’s finest, with past performances at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, CHCH TV and at the Hamilton Music Awards. Her class act accompaniment features Dave Thierry on keyboard, Al Richardson on bass, Kincardine’s Jason Hunter on tenor saxophone and Steve James on drums.

The Woodpecker Restaurant - Returning by popular demand Jazz and Blues vocalist, Miss Robin Banks.

The Wismer House - Long standing Soul, Blues, Jazz and R&B legend Bobby Dean Blackburn and Friends who recently wowed the crowd at Summerfolk in Owen Sound, so much so that they've been invited back to Summerfolk 42, 2017.

Catch the ever-popular, swinging Howlin’ Dog Vintage Jazz Band at the Royal Canadian Legion, where dancers are definitely welcome.

Then swing over to Southampton and catch two of Port Elgin’s born-and-raised. Mike Campbell and Tyler Goertzen work as Jazz drummers in Toronto. Tyler will bring a quirky Jazz Fusion quintet to the Royal Canadian Legion called Koopa Troop, which aims to induce flashbacks as they cover all the classic video game soundtracks from Mario to Megaman. The band includes Chelsea McBride (Princess Daisy) on sax and flute, Wilson McLeish (Luigi) on guitar, Chris Bruder (Toad) on piano, Tom Altobelli (Mario) on bass and Tyler Goertzen (Link) on drums.

Duffy’s Fish & Chips presents Mike Campbell’s trio with Liam Stanley on guitar and Chris Adriaanse on bass. They form a dynamic trio showcasing original music as well as unique renditions of standard jazz songs.

Outlaw presents Jazz singer Lisa Hutchison with Joe Huron’s Jazz and Blues Quartet.

Walker House will be presenting Dean Hollin for a tribute to the great Nat King Cole. Joining Dean will be Andy Harasymczuk on guitar, Jack McFadden on bass and Doug Balfour on piano.

The Jazz venues will be running from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. and all serve up fabulous food if you want to arrive early for a bite. Jazz shuttle buses will run regularly.

Saturday's Big Event afternoon show launches the '50s to '80s dance repertoire performed by The Lulu's Band accompanied by the Men in Black Brass, with guest appearance by Elvis, performed by Peter Irwin. Dance to the songs of Bill Haley, Elvis, Del Shannon, Smoky Robinson, Chicago, James Brown, The Beach Boys and of course, The Beatles. The show runs from 1 to 4 p.m.

Then Saturday's Big Event evening show will get underway with sultry voices and a wonderful rapport with the audience and band. Rebecca Binnendyk and Ethan Salmon return as featured guests of the Canadian Big Band with tributes to Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble.

The Canadian Big Band is a professional Big Band whose membership includes many of Canada's top Big Band and Jazz musicians. The band performs the greatest of the Big Band era repertoire, combining both traditional and more contemporary dance arrangements of the great American and great Canadian song books by some of the finest arrangers in Canada and the U.S. including Canada’s own Rick Wilkins.

Sunday Jazz Brunch will be sure to entertain and will get underway at 11 a.m. with a presentation of food and music unparalleled in the region by Executive Chef Paul Johnson and Dixieland Jazz performers, The Midnight Ramblers.

For more information and tickets please contact the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce at 519-832-2332 or visit online www.canadianbigband.ca. You can also find them on their Facebook page.