Free Concert at the Aztec Pioneer Village

On July 12th, step back in time to the 1940s Big Band Era!  Join the Aztec Museum for a FREE concert in the Aztec Pioneer Village with the Jeff Solon Swing’n Big Band at 7:00pm.  Featuring eight fantastic musicians, this Durango-based band brings the era back to life with beloved classics like In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Sentimental Journey, Stardust, Take the “A” Train, and many more!

Jeff Solon Swing'n Big Band

Jeff Solon has led this traditional swing’n dance band since 1993. The band was conceived and arranged by Rollie Rustad. Mr. Rustad came to Durango, from Minneapolis in 1979, and could not find enough musicians to make up the normal 16-18 piece dance band, nor were there enough venues for that size of a band.  He painstakingly, took the time to condense the arrangements from the large band, to the current eight-piece swing band.  After Mr. Rustad passed away, his widow Pat Rustad, gave Mr. Solon the music thereby passing the baton on to another generation!

Mr. Solon is a self-taught musician, who plays saxophone, clarinet, flute, harmonica, and piano.  He is immersed in the music of jazz as a soloist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and teacher.  He began his professional musical adventure as a street performer, playing his way through Central and South America (1980–1985), and has continuallyperformed extensively throughout the southwest since 1985, with his duets, groups, and 8-piece swing band.  He has been a yearly grant recipient (1993–2020) from the Durango Friends of the Arts for his public school assemblies and workshops, and has won several awards from the Colorado Council on the Arts, and The Fort Lewis College Foundation. He has led three tours for the U.S. Embassy in Latin America, produced and released 16 recordings, and teaches jazz studies at Fort Lewis College.

“I am thrilled to be leading this band, arranging the music, and keeping this great era of music alive for dancing and listening. The big surprise is that swing music is the rage again across the county, and everyone is dancing and enjoying the sounds of swing,” shares Mr. Solon.

The Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village is thrilled to welcome Jeff and the band for the first time performing for our Music at the Museum Concert Series. Please enter via the West gate by the Aztec Splash Pad off Park Ave. Gate opens at 6:30pm. Service animals only, please. This concert is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation and ALL of their 60th Anniversary Sponsors.