One of the most popular big bands in Chicago during the 1980's and 90's was the Deja Vu Big Band. Now, several veterans of that group have come together once again to form the Stardust Big Band.

Led by award-winning composer-arranger Jon McGahan, the Stardust Big Band is dedicated to promoting and continuing the jazz traditions as practiced by Maynard Ferguson, Neal Hefti, Bill Holman, and Quincy Jones among others. This 13-piece ensemble combines inventive writing with vibrant solos by some of Chicago's finest big band practitioners.

For smaller venues, we offer a six-piece instrumental group, the Stardust Sextet, featuring the “cool” West Coast jazz of the 1950’s and beyond.

The Stardust Big Band and the Stardust Sextet take their musical influence from the classic jazz of the 1950’s and 1960’s, a time when martinis were in, class was where it was at, and bands like Count Basie, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich were taking the world by storm.

From dancing to casual to concerts and shows, the Stardust Big Band and The Stardust Sextet can perform a myriad of styles in the jazz idiom with the swing and excitement both casual and serious jazz audiences expect and deserve.