History of the Pranksters Big Band

Prankster Big Band started in 1989 as a community jazz band class at Clackamas Community College under the direction of Leroy Anderson. Shortly thereafter Mr. Anderson retired and left the band in the capable hands of Bill Prang, a member of the trumpet section. Bill transformed it from a rehearsal band, calling it the Pranksters, to a limited performance jazz band. As he often said, “We’re the best unpaid dance band in the Portland area!”  Jobs were few and far between and we often got to take our pay in a to-go box.

In 1998, Bill relocated to Florida and handed the reins over to Gary Bong. Under Gary’s leadership the band has risen to one of the most sought-after dance bands in the Portland Metropolitan area, now know as the Pranksters Big Band.
 
The Prankster repertoire includes hundreds of dance tunes from the early swing era of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey.  Classic vocal arrangements created by Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Bill Holman and other notable arrangers who wrote for Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, and Diane Schuur are a regular feature of the band’s set list. A wide variety of ballroom dance and Latin dance styles may also be heard during their performances.

Every big band needs a great singer and since 2001 we have been fortunate enough to have Claudia Knauer standing up front. Coming from a rock and roll background she has transformed herself into a leading big band vocalist.  Whether she’s belting out an up-tempo version of Cole Porter’s “What is this Thing Called Love?” or delicately spinning emotions from “A Touch of Your Love” she’ll have you at the edge of your seat or on the tips of your toes.