2026: Jack & Hal—Band of Renown Legends | Les Brown Big Band Festival

The 18th Annual Les Brown Big Band Weekend

This is a handicapped accessible, LGBTQ+ friendly, weekend.

April 9-11, 2026

Celebrating the musicianship of

Band of Renown legends

Jack Redmond

AND

Hal Espinosa

Hal will be in attendance on Saturday

The 5th Les Brown Film Fest

Thursday, April 9

7:00 pm

(doors open at 6:45 pm)

Pine Grove Historic Theater

213 South Tulpehocken Street, Pine Grove, PA, 17963

FREE Admission

The Les Brown Film Fest features a film that Les and the Band of Renown appeared in. This year’s feature from 1942 gives the only glimpse of Les’ newly formed band, The Les Brown’s Orchestra. It was his first band after leading the Duke University Blue Devils Jazz Band. This band eventually took on the name of the Band of Renown. It is also the only known video in which Les’ brother Warren was a member of the trombone section. Upon Warren’s joining the US Armed Forces, brother Stumpy took over the vacant spot and remained a player for more than 50 years.

This is a gem with major stars that rarely is seen. Don’t miss this opportunity.

The Les Brown USO Dance

Friday, April 10

7:00 pm

(doors open at 6:30 pm)

Wiconisco Fire Hall

110 Arch St., Wiconisco, PA 17097

Admission: $10.00

Featuring the music of The Unforgettable Big Band

The dance is reminiscent of the years the Band of Renown played for Bob Hope’s USO Shows in Korea & Vietnam. To honor this, all attending veterans of those wars, and their partners, receive FREE admission and are encouraged to wear any type of their Armed Forces attire.

All persons are encouraged to wear appropriate dress for those two eras to show respect to those service men and women and the sacrifices the Band of Renown members made to entertain those brave troops.

For the second year, the dance will be held in the Wiconisco Fire Hall. The spacious area is able to comfortably hold 120 people with plenty of room for dancing. Drinks and refreshments are available for purchase during the entire evening.

The Les Brown Big Band Festival