Latvian Rock, Swing And R&B Band To Make U.S. Debut At Reston Town Center

RESTON, VA — Big Al & The Jokers, a nine-piece band from Europe, will make its U.S. debut June 5 and 6 at Reston Town Center Pavilion.

The concerts are part of the Reston Concerts on the Town series and are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. each night. Matt Niess and the Capitol Bones will open both shows. The events also will include Sip & Stroll service from participating restaurants.

The Reston Town Center Association and BXP are presenting the concerts in partnership with the Embassy of Latvia.

Big Al & The Jokers perform rock, swing and R&B standards in English, including “Jump, Jive, An’ Wail,” “Mess Around” and “Boogie Woogie Blues.” The band includes piano, rhythm players and a horn section and is led by Algirdas Šuminskas, known as “Big Al.”

“When we were offered this possibility, we jumped — just like our audiences will be doing all night long on June 5 and 6,” said Robert Goudie, executive director of the Reston Town Center Association. “These are beloved standards for people of all ages played by musicians of the highest caliber with a phenomenal stage show. Our audience is going to love Big Al, and the energy those nights is going to be off the charts.”

Alexandra Young, BXP’s vice president of regional marketing, said the Reston Concerts on the Town series is known for the “quality and diversity” of its events.

“To be able to bring something of this caliber to the United States for the first time is exciting, and we believe it will be among the most memorable nights in the series’ 33-year history,” Young said.

Janis Bekeris, deputy ambassador at the Latvian Embassy, said he and his wife have attended several Reston Town Center concerts.

“My wife and I have been to several of the Reston Town Center concerts, and we think the venue and performances are fantastic, unique to the region,” Bekeris said. “We’ve always wanted to see Big Al & The Jokers appreciated here in the United States, and the Reston concert series is a perfect fit. The Embassy is ecstatic to be supporting this as part of our cultural programming in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.”

Latvian Ambassador to the United States Elita Kuzma is scheduled to give welcoming remarks both nights.

Matt Niess and the Capitol Bones, a 10-piece band with five trombonists, will open the shows. Jazz Weekly said of the group, “[I]f they ever do a gig, either sit in the front row to take it all in or way in the back if you want to avoid getting run over!”

Concertgoers may stand near the stage or bring chairs. During Sip & Stroll, attendees may buy beverages from nearby participating restaurants and bring them back to the concert area.

The concert series is supported by Hyatt Regency Reston as artist accommodations sponsor and Makers Union as artist hospitality sponsor.