Blue Water Brass and Sass needs large space
By Barb Pert Templeton
When Bob Lepley stepped up to speak during the public comments portion of the Marine City Commission’s Sept. 5 meeting he wanted to talk about his band, Blue Water Brass & Sass.
The 18-piece big band made up of local artists from Southeastern Michigan performs at local venues and festivals. They perform jazz, swing, classic rock and blues, funk and anything else that gets people dancing, according to a promotional flyer.
The band rehearses Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Lepley’s garage. He said in fact they are going to contact Guiness Book of World Records to apply for the biggest garage band in the world.
“It’s a bit crowded but we’re having a good time and my neighbors are very patient and receptive, they come from blocks away,” Lepley said.
Still, since it’s such tight quarters the band is currently looking for a rehearsal venue.
“We’d like a time on Monday nights, it’s a great group, we have a lot of fun,” Lepley said. “And I think we provide a real viable service, our missions a line and we improve the quality of life for residents of the city and kick in a little money to boot when we can.”
Over the years Lepley said the band has become like a little community and they all love to play. He said many of the musicians have been with the band for all 12 years, some have come and gone as well.
Marine City resident Bob Lepley spoke during public comments at a recent commission meeting
to let officials know his band, Blue Water Brass and Sass, is seeking a new venue for their
practice sessions.
“Basically, this group plays for civic events and festivals including Heritage Days, Maritime Days, we did Finsterwald Arts and Crafts and we performed in the new bandstand,” Lepley said.
The band has also performed at McMorran Place, the St. Clair Jazz Festival, the Blue Denim Ball for the Friends of City Hall Group, Music in the Park for the Pride and Heritage Museum and they played Wednesday night jazz at the Rec Bowl in Mt. Clemens.
During the winter months the band performs at nursing homes and assisted living facilities from Fort Gratiot down to New Baltimore, Lepley said.
On Sept. 28 they’ll be at where the original Anita’s was from 7 to 9 p.m.
On Oct. 19 they’re playing at the Masonic Lodge in Port Huron for a black-tie event.
The band has raised funds for the Performing Arts Center for East China Schools managing to chip in about $1,000 for microphones, music stands, lighting and more, two years in a row.
“It’s not a lot of money but it helps,” Lepley said.
The group’s most recent performance was for a Crowd Rise Concert in Marine City on Aug. 15. “We were able to utilize Drake Park and it’s a wonderful venue to play in,” Lepley said.
During that event the band’s donation jar raised $179 which was donated to the ‘Friends of City Hall’ group in Marine City for the restoration of old city hall at 300 Broadway, he said.
To find out more about the band visit them on Facebook at Blue Water Brass & Sass Band.
