🎉 Celebrating our 50^th year! 🎉

Bringing the Big Band era to life!

The Fairfield Counts is a 19-member orchestra that plays the best of the classic Big Band music for all occasions. Located in Fairfield County, CT the Counts entertain audiences all throughout the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
The Counts play at all types of occasions, from country clubs and civic organization affairs to private events such as weddings, dinner/dances and holiday parties. Every summer, the group can be heard at outdoor concerts, festivals and get-togethers.
Founded in 1976, the Fairfield Counts has consistently attracted top caliber musicians whose passion is recreating the unique sounds of the Big Band era. Considered one of the premier big bands on the East Coast and boasting seventeen musicians, a musical director and a superb female vocalist, the Counts have been the featured entertainment at such exclusive venues as Windows On The World, The Supper Club, Red Blazer Too, The Yale Club, The Hotel Pierre and aboard the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier in New York Harbor.

Enjoy this sampling of some of the Counts' most frequently requested tunes!

The Fairfield Counts play the ever popular music of the legendary Big Bands. Listen and dance to Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Harry James, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Nelson Riddle, Count Basie and the Latin music of Tito Puente and Perez Prado.The Great American Songbook is represented in our vast library as are selections from contemporary groups such as The Cherry Poppin' Daddies and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.No matter what the affair, the Fairfield Counts promise to keep everyone jumping and jiving. This band appeals to all ages and musical tastes.

Our Members

Founder - Harvey Tuckman

Harvey Tuckman started the Fairfield Counts in 1976 to recreate and perpetuate the legacy and music of the Big Band Era. He has researched and collected an extensive library of the original music arrangements as played and recorded by the great dance bands of that era. Under Harvey’s guidance, the band has maintained a very high caliber of musicianship and professional performance for decades.
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Vocalist - Michele Grace

Michele Grace has been singing all her life. Born into a family of musicians and spending time in her parents' music stores, she was exposed to a variety of musical influences. She went on to study acting with Uta Hagen at the H.B. Studios in New York, later joining the faculty for a number of years. The combination of musical knowledge and theatrical training is evident in her moving delivery of a song. Michele has years of professional performance credits to her name and as a teacher, she has a large following of devoted students - many of whom are professionals themselves. Michele loves singing Big Band music with the Fairfield Counts, as it gives her the opportunity to breathe new life into the classics of the great American songbook.

Music Director - Fred Mariano

As music director, Fred brings a lifetime of knowledge and experience about big band music and performance to the Fairfield Counts. While earning his degree in Music Education from the University of Bridgeport, Fred performed in the school jazz ensemble under the direction of Neil Slater. Since then, Fred has performed with all manner of big bands and small groups (often as a featured trumpet soloist) and even brought his extensive musical history knowledge to bear as the host of his own long-running radio program. In addition to performing in numerous theater orchestras and recording studios, Fred’s expertise directing musical groups makes him a perfect fit to conduct the Fairfield Counts.

Venues

Based in Fairfield County CT, The Fairfield Counts entertain audiences all over the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. The band plays all types of occasions, including country club socials, civic organization affairs and private events such as weddings, dinner/dances and holiday parties. Every summer the group can be heard at outdoor concerts, festivals and get-togethers. Here's a partial list of the venues we have appeared at in the past: