THANK YOU for an amazing 25th Battle of the Bands
Congratulations to 3rd time champs, The Stardusters Big Band!
Save the date for the 26th annual Battle of the Big Bands: April 3rd, 2027!
We are returning to the Lafayette Grande Ballroom, but this time with less tables, more open chair seating, lower ticket cap, and a new challenger!
Questions: Olivia Van Goor at oliviavangoormusic@gmail.com
Sign up for Detroit Big 3 Swing Updates:
Olivia Van Goor Named New Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Detroit Battle of the Swing Bands Passes the Baton to New Ownership
CLARKSTON, Mich. — The Clarkston Arts Council is pleased to announce Olivia Van Goor as the new owner of the Metro Detroit Battle of the Swing Bands competition.
The annual event, which has brought together top swing bands and hundreds of dancers for over two decades, will transition to Van Goor’s leadership after two years of production by the Arts Council. Formerly the Big 3 Battle of the Bands, the competition was created by Sean McDonnell.
“We are incredibly excited to pass the torch to Olivia Van Goor,” said Leanna Haun, former Executive Director and event producer for the Clarkston Arts Council. “Her passion for the music and deep ties to the Detroit jazz and swing scene make her the perfect person to carry on the legacy of this beloved competition and usher in a new era of growth.”
Van Goor is an award-winning jazz vocalist and a rising star in the Midwest music landscape. Recently honored as a two-time winner at the 2025 Michigan Music Awards for Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Single/Performance, she is a composer, arranger, and producer with a distinctive sound rooted in early jazz, swing, blues, and bebop. She has toured major cities in the Midwest, performed with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, and received recognition including the Preservation of Jazz Excellence Award for Best Vocalist.
“Taking on the Metro Detroit Battle of the Swing Bands is a dream come true and a natural fit for my musical portfolio,” said Olivia Van Goor. “This event celebrates the incredible artistry and joyful energy of the swing community, and I’m thrilled to be chosen to lead it. I look forward to building on the competition’s rich history while bringing some fresh energy and ideas.”
The current two-time contest winners, The Stardusters Big Band, also welcomed the change.
“We are excited about this transition,” said Brian Cheatham, drummer and leader of The Stardusters Big Band. “I have known and worked with Olivia for the past few years. She’s a very talented vocalist, producer, and writer-arranger. She will bring renewed energy to this exciting event. Be ready for some exciting changes.”
The Metro Detroit Battle of the Swing Bands is slated for Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Lafayette Grand Ballroom in Downtown Pontiac, Michigan. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale starting in late November.