STRANGER FRIENDS ORCHESTRA

“the Stranger Friends Orchestra, a 15-piece big band featuring some of the best young talent in the city. If you want to hear what the future of the Vancouver jazz scene is going to sound like, this one is a can’t miss.” - Tim Reinert (Infidels Jazz)

Stranger Friends live at the Fox Cabaret debute EP coming you May 31st 2025

Stranger Friends Live at the Fox Cabaret debut EP!

We are beyond excited to be partnered with Tim Reinert at the Infidels Jazz Label to release our debut recording project. Our last show at the Fox in March 2024 was such a huge success that we are releasing 4 tracks from that show. These four tracks add up to about 28min of music and in true large-ensemble form the pieces are long, exciting, and feature this incredible band with thrilling solos. 

The STRANGER FRIENDS Orchestra is a 15-piece modern big band led by composer Dean Thiessen. The phrase ‘Stranger Friends’ evokes an awareness of the community that can be established through music and music making. The ensemble is comprised of some of the most creative and inspiring young voices in the West Coast music scene. The ensemble is grateful to rehearse, compose, and perform on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Thiessen’s original music for this band is rooted in curiosity, collaboration, inclusion, creativity, and diversity and explores a mixture of hyper-detailed compositions and spontaneous improvisation. With little resemblance of the ‘swing era’ big band sound, the STRANGER FRIENDS Orchestra explores a mixture of modern musical and cultural influences inspired by traditions of the great African American musicians who created 'jazz' as an art form and the youthfulness and innovation of the musicians in the ensemble.

Reviews and Articles

Coastal Jazz: Tim's Top Picks…

2023 coastaljazz.ca - Tim Reinert

The Dean Thiessen Big Band Debut Concert 

2022 rhythmchanges.ca Will Chernoff

Dean Thiessen Big Band Follow Up

2022 rhythmchanges.ca Will Chernoff