Monday Spotlight: Ernie Bucio’s Little Big Band honors tradition

Name: Ernie Bucio’s Little Big Band

Home base: Modesto area

What you do: Big band, jazz music. Also available for weddings, parties, any occasion.

How you knew: Ernie Bucio led his big band since 1980. People often asked him why he didn’t move to one of the big cities to pursue his music. He said he saw no need as he kept very busy locally and performed with many top names in the musical world.

Bucio died in 2011, leaving a huge gap in our musical community. In honor of him and his pursuit of excellence in music, the members of Ernie Bucio’s Little Big Band have continued on with his tradition of presenting authentic, high-quality music. He was an inspiration to many.

Go ahead, brag: Bucio was the recipient of the Modesto Area Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award and also the Excellence in Music Award from the Stanislaus Arts Council.

His band has backed performers as diverse as James Moody, The Temptations, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Rich Little, Bob Newhart, Joan Rivers, Myron Floren, Jon Faddis, Pete Escovedo, Maynard Ferguson, Cheech Marin, Clark Terry, Bill Watrous, Bobby Shew, Mike Vax, Plas Johnson, Charles McPherson, Jon Faddis, Carol Channing, Ed Thigpen, John Santos, the Borden Twins, Barbara Borden, Mel Martin, Doreen Ketchens, Lawrence Ketchens, Mic Gillette, Bob Havens, Bob Newhart and Don Rickels.

Check you out: Tuesday at the Stanislaus County Fair; July 31 at American Chevrolet’s 75th anniversary celebration; Aug. 1 at Barkin’ Dog Grill; Sept. 3 at Edible Extravaganza; Oct. 18 at Strides for Cancer; Oct. 24 at the Mariposa County Park Amphitheatre.

Online: erniebucio.com

This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 2:03 PM with the headline "Monday Spotlight: Ernie Bucio’s Little Big Band honors tradition."