​​Come enjoy the progressive sounds of one of America's longest running jazz orchestras, the Des Moines Big Band. Our concert season begins Wednesdays in September,  at Nocé, Des Moines' newest Jazz Club and Cabaret, located at 1326 Walnut St,  one block south of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Send us an email to get added to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook!

We're Historic

The Des Moines Big Band was founded in 1959 and has been a driving force in the Iowa jazz scene (yes, there IS one!) ever since. Well known for hundreds of miles around, it has become a regular stop for touring artists such as Bobby Shew, Frank Perowsky, Dick Oatts, John Fedchock, Paul McKee, Richie Cole, John Mosca and Clark Terry to mention just a few. 

Our mission is to present cutting edge jazz without compromise. We regularly commission new compositions from nationally-recognized composers while still keeping the classics in the rotation. Our members are committed to high standards of performance, and we make sure that the band cooks!

We’re also committed to student musicians. We’ve worked hard to give student musicians a venue where they can hear high quality performances in an appreciative, smoke-free, family-friendly atmosphere. We also invite high-school and college bands to share the stage with us most weeks.

We play because we love jazz and we're on a mission to keep it alive and vibrant. Please join us in celebrating a truly original American art form!

We're In The News

Well. there's certainly a buzz about Noce, Des Moines' newest Jazz Club, and the Des Moines Big Band. Read all about it!

We're On Your Calendar

Every Wednesday night
September 4 until the end of May
​ GET TICKETS
Shows start at 7:00 

Upcoming Performances

Wednesday 10/23, 7pm
featuring music by Buddy Rich, John Fedchock and Duke Ellington.
Intermission entertainment by the award-winning Valley High School Jazz Orchestra!

Wednesday 10/30, 7pm
Jazz Masters Series: Brookmeyer and Kids. An evening of music from that storied studio
Intermission entertainment by the Marshalltown Jazz 1!

Wednesday 11/6, 7pm
Special Guest Artist: John Fedchock.
We'll be featuring this legendary NY Trombonist and many of his recent compositions. DO NOT MISS!
Intermission entertainment by the awesome Waukee High School Jazz 1!

We're In the Neighborhood

This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.

Opt Out of Cookies