The 8-Bit Big Band

ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY PRESENTS MULTI-GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING THE 8-BIT BIG BAND, BRINGING
ICONIC VIDEO GAME MUSIC TO LIFE AT THE
MILLER THEATER ON OCTOBER 24, 2026,
AS PART OF THE 2026-27 JAZZ SERIES

“Known for his prolific work on Broadway, in film, and on television, with more than two dozen credits to his name, Rosen has, since founding the 8-Bit Big Band in 2017, carved out a singular space at the intersection of jazz and gaming culture.”
– Paris Move

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 14, 2026) – Ensemble Arts Philly presents multi-GRAMMY Award-winning video game music jazz orchestra, The 8-Bit Big Band, at the Miller Theater on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 8:00 p.m., as part of the 2026-27 Jazz Series. Through inventive new arrangements, The 8-Bit Big Band reimagines music from Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Persona 5, Portal, Final Fantasy, Sonic the Hedgehog, and other beloved franchises as vibrant jazz concert works, showcasing the genre's versatility while introducing audiences to new dimensions of the scores they know and love.

"The 8-Bit Big Band demonstrates how jazz continues to evolve by finding fresh inspiration in unexpected places," said Frances Egler, Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations. "By reimagining beloved video game music through the lens of a contemporary jazz orchestra, they introduce audiences to the creativity, virtuosity, and spirit of improvisation that define the genre. At Ensemble Arts Philly, we're committed to presenting artists who expand our understanding of what jazz can be, and The 8-Bit Big Band brings a distinctive and innovative perspective to this season's series."

The 8-Bit Big Band is a contemporary symphonic jazz orchestra created to celebrate and reimagine video game music’s most beloved hits, rearranged in exciting and inventive ways that push the boundaries of how these legendary soundtracks are experienced as a standalone body of work. Founded and led by composer, arranger, and conductor Charlie Rosen, the band brings a distinctive artistic vision to the genre, blending the tradition of symphonic jazz with a modern, genre-spanning approach. Formed in 2017, the band has earned two GRAMMY Awards, released five albums, garnered millions of YouTube views, and built a global fanbase while consistently selling out concert venues across the United States.

“I’m excited to be able to bring reimagined orchestral video game music magic to extended new territories across the globe this year,” said Charlie Rosen, Musical Director of The 8-Bit Big Band. “I hope fans of video games, jazz, orchestras, or just great musicianship will come join us as we celebrate the ever-growing body of work that we are lovingly calling ‘The Great Video Game Songbook’ with some wild new takes on some of our favorite themes from our beloved pastime of over 40 years!”

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org, by calling 215-893-1999, or in person at the Academy of Music Box Office (240 S. Broad Street). For more information on the Academy of Music's Box Office hours, please visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org.

Jazz Series Packages
Save when you choose two or more shows from the exciting jazz season.

The 8-Bit Big Band
Miller Theater
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8:00 p.m.

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Other featured upcoming performances in the 2026–27 Jazz Series include Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (October 7, 2026, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Lakecia Benjamin (October 22, 2026, Miller Theater); Afro-Cuban All Stars (October 30, 2026, Miller Theater); The Bad Plus Farewell Tour (November 14, 2026, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Pink Martini All Stars present A Season of Stars (December 14, 2026, Marian Anderson Hall inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Sullivan Fortner Trio (February 13, 2027, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Gregory Porter (February 15, 2027, Marian Anderson Hall inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Ambrose Akinmusire (February 25, 2027, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Yasmin Williams with The Dream Quartet (April 3, 2027, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); and Django Festival Allstars (May 14, 2027, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts).

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ABOUT ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY
For more information about ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY, visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org.       

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For photography, please visit www.ensembleartsphilly.smugmug.com.


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