Dennis Rowland with the New Guard Big Band

Dennis Rowland is beloved by jazz devotees and theatergoers around the globe. The Detroit native and Phoenix, Arizona resident was the voice of the world-renowned Count Basie Orchestra between 1977 and 1984, where he shared the stage with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams and Tony Bennett. He is also featured on the Basie Band’s Grammy award-winning record “On the Road”. An electrifying live performer, Rowland has performed at major jazz festivals, with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and at metropolitan Phoenix-area jazz clubs and performing arts venues.

Rowland is also well-known to theatergoers in his home state, appearing in Arizona Theatre Company productions of “Blue” (with Leslie Uggams), “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Blues in the Night” and Phoenix Theatre productions of “Chicago” and “Once on This Island” among others. In 2007, he was inducted into the Herberger Theater Center Hall of Fame for his contributions to the performing arts.

In December 2012, Rowland suffered a near fatal stroke and cerebral hemorrhage, which severely impacted his ability to sing, to work and to express himself consistently. With ongoing therapy, he continues to improve and is fully committed to returning to the stage, the classroom and the career he loves (performing and music education). We look forward to seeing his incredible talent in Ravenscroft Hall this spring!

THE NEW GUARD BIG BAND is Phoenix’s premiere jazz orchestra, comprising 17 of the most talented and in-demand musicians in the Valley. The show features the great vocalist Dennis Rowland, who toured with the Count Basie Orchestra for seven years and exciting arrangements from the pens of Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Bob Freedman and more.