The Georgia Strait Big Band announces its second annual Big Band Jam featuring two live 17-piece swing bands March 19 at the Bridge Lounge in Courtenay.

Joining the Georgia Strait Big Band is Swing Shift, a 17-piece big band from Salt Spring Island that has been together for almost 20 years.

It鈥檒l be a ballroom blitz 鈥� both bands will play a full range of swing and Latin tunes, so get those dancing shoes on and enjoy the awesome dance floor at The Bridge.

And it promises to be a vocal delight as well. Sue Medley will once again bring her powerhouse voice to support the Georgia Strait Big Band, and Swing Shift will be graced with vocalists Barbara Rankin and Kaya Hunter, who recently rocked the Victoria Idol contest, placing runner-up.

Says band manager Rob Peterson, 鈥淭his will be one of those rare nights to enjoy a fantastic demonstration of live big band music supported by incredible vocal talent.鈥�

Peterson encourages the ballroom dance community and all lovers of that big band sound to be part of a great evening of music.

Tickets are $15 and available in advance at Bop City Records, Long & McQuade (at the Music Max location), and at Zambucas on Fifth Street.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; music starts at 7:30.

The Georgia Strait Big Band thanks all its major sponsors, Beltone Hearing Care Centre, Georgia Straight Jazz Society, Long & McQuade and The Lounge Radio 99.9.