ABOUT THE FABULOUS ESQUIRES BIG BAND

In 1958, four teenagers approached Paul Colaluca and asked for his help in forming a dance band in the likeness of Glenn Miller. Thinking the idea was a crazy one, he sent the teens off with the mission of recruiting five saxes, four trumpets, four trombones, a bass, drums, guitar and a piano. He didn’t plan on seeing them again. But they returned a month later, ready to rehearse. The teens were persistent and persuasive. The rest, they say, is history!

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It was Stan Kenton who suggested to Paul Colaluca that the training program become a non-profit foundation, giving many generations of students access to and training in big band swing music. The Esquire Music Foundation was formally established in 1967.