Created in 2019, The Leading Ladies Little Big Band is a 10-piece jazz band made up entirely of young women and directed by Casey Thomas-Burns, The Ladies met while studying in the Capilano University Jazz Studies Program, and after performing their first show together as a part of a school concert series, knew that they couldn't stop there.
      This band brings new energy to the traditional jazz style, as well as to more contemporary compositions, and regularly features original music and arrangements by local emerging composers. The band has most recently performed at the West Coast Big Band Festival, a Swing Dance & Jam hosted by the Women in Jazz Association of BC, and at the Maplewood Taphouse. The Ladies were also granted a place in the 2020 IGNITE! Youth Festival prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
     What's next? In addition to being a performing ensemble, The Leading Ladies will soon be launching their community outreach program "LADIES' NIGHT: Jazz Jams for Women". Young musicians will be welcome to come and jam with the members of the band in a safe, female-led environment that focuses on learning and community building for the next generation of women in jazz.