Heather Thorn and Vivacity with the Nola Anniversary Marimba Band
Heather Thorn is a xylophonist in Orlando, FL where she performs with her band Vivacity. She holds a degree in Music Performance with a minor in Theatre from Ithaca College. In 2019 and 2022, she was featured with Vivacity as the headline act for the I Love Jazz International Jazz Festival in Brazil. She was also a guest soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in 2021 for the Holiday Pops concert. Heather has been featured as a guest artist with Michael Andrew and Swingerhead, and an opening act for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
As band leader of Vivacity, she frequently performs for swing dances around the Central Florida area; in 2018 she gave a concert at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Heather wrote and performs her musical stage show Nostalgia Radio Hour- featuring an original script with classic tunes from the 1920’s- 1950. She also leads a jazz quartet at the Sea World Christmas Celebration. Her teachers include Gordon Stout and Bob Becker.
As band leader of Vivacity, she frequently performs for swing dances around the Central Florida area; in 2018 she gave a concert at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Heather wrote and performs her musical stage show Nostalgia Radio Hour- featuring an original script with classic tunes from the 1920’s- 1950. She also leads a jazz quartet at the Sea World Christmas Celebration. Her teachers include Gordon Stout and Bob Becker.
Heather Thorn Salutes the 50th Anniversary of the Album Nola and the Great American Songbook
Session Description:
As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the Eastman Marimba Band’s highly influential album, Nola, xylophone soloist Heather Thorn will celebrate the milestone with selections from the recording. She will be accompanied by original Eastman Marimba Band member, and soloist, Gordon Stout, along with other special guest percussionists in the Anniversary Marimba Band including Garry Kvistad (NEXUS), Will Rapp and Jeff Moore. In addition to selections from Nola, Heather and her band Vivacity will present music from the Great American Songbook (1920s-50s). Inspired by her teacher, Bob Becker, along with the xylophone performance traditions of George and Joe Green, Harry Breuer, Teddy Brown, Red Norvo and Sammy Herman, Thorn presents modern interpretations and arrangements of some classic jazz standards. These timeless songs are performed with a nod to past performance practices, but with a modern flair, giving the concert a “then and now” feeling, with xylophone as the lead instrument.
Session Category:
- Keyboard
Date:
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time:
9:00 AM
Location:
Wabash
Session Type:
Daytime Showcase Concert
Session Format:
Live
