Founded by drummer Joel Baer and guitarist Chris Parsons, The Blueshift Big Band is on a mission to make the best music possible.
And they have delivered! Between selling out of their iconic iam8bit’s Joystick Jazz Vinyls and their upcoming performance at the upcoming Music and Gaming Festival (MAGFest), they continue to make a huge impact in the space.
Gamers Heroes recently got a chance to speak with The Blueshift Big Band’s Joel Baer to learn more about their upcoming MAGFest performance, how they choose which tracks to cover, and more – read more with our interview.
The Blueshift Big Band Interview: Band Talks MAGFest, Song Creation, and Inspiration
Gamers Heroes
First off, love The Blueshift Big Band’s work! As a huge Sonic fan, I especially love your rendition of Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s Chemical Plant Zone. I know that you have got a number of iconic hits throughout your discography – how do you choose which tracks to cover?
Joel Baer
Thank you so much for the kind words, Casey!
Most of our music selections come from the games we grew up playing, and Chemical Plant Zone holds a special place in our history—it was the first VGM chart arranged for the band. I often tell the story of trading my Sega Genesis copy of Joe Montana’s Sports Talk Football for Sonic 2 in second grade, which was a life-changing moment for me. Masato Nakamura’s music for Sonic 1 and 2 is truly iconic, and Sonic 2 was the first game that came to mind for this project.
Our choices often reflect the consoles we loved—especially the Nintendo 64, but also the NES, SNES, and Genesis. Occasionally, one of our arrangers will bring in a piece they’re passionate about, which has led to incredible remixes for tracks like Crash Bandicoot 2, Grim Fandango, and Don’t Think Twice (Kingdom Hearts 3). We love when our arrangers take the lead—it always results in something exciting and fresh.
Gamers Heroes
On that same note, I’d love to know more about the work that goes into each song! I’m sure the creative process to compile and perform each of these tracks is truly full of passion.
Joel Baer
Absolutely! Every arrangement starts with a conversation between me and one of our incredible arrangers. We have a talented and Chicago-based writing team, including Neil Carson, Joe Clark, Richie Palys, Sam Wolsk, Nick Roach, John Dorhauer, Ariel Glassman, and the band’s co-leader Chris Parsons, who are all working at the highest level.
The process usually begins with me providing an arranger with three potential tracks to choose from. Once they make a selection, we discuss the musical vision—what I’m imagining for the track and their creative ideas. Big band arranging is very time-intensive, often requiring countless hours to create the score and individual parts, especially for complex pieces.
When the arrangement is complete, we rehearse it as a band, work out any wrinkles with the arranger, and then add it to our live rotation. Playing it live helps the band get comfortable with the music and adds a little magic that goes beyond what’s written on the page.
Gamers Heroes
MAGFest is the gold standard when it comes to video game music events – what are you doing to prepare for showtime?
Joel Baer
We’re always playing, which is the best preparation. Chris and I started Blueshift out of our love for playing in a big band, and we’ve been fortunate to build a foundation with monthly residencies at Fulton Street Collective and Andy’s Jazz Club in Chicago. These shows give us the opportunity to refine our sound and keep the band sharp.
For MAGFest, we’re bringing the same dynamic and exciting performance we aim for every time we take the stage. It’s an incredible opportunity to share our music with a larger audience. We’ll play some of our favorite tracks from the Joystick Jazz series, as well as some new material, which we think people will dig.
We’re also bringing a special guest: Neil Carson. Neil is an extraordinary arranger, saxophonist, and conductor who will join us as a guest soloist. He brings unmatched energy to the stage. Fans might recognize him from the recent Cowboy Bebop Live tour or his own band, New Nostalgia.
Gamers Heroes
What game composers truly inspire you and your team?
Joel Baer
Thanks for asking about composers! I really believe video game composers deserve more recognition. So many people have enjoyed their music without ever knowing who created it.
The first composer who comes to mind is Koji Kondo—the GOAT, the John Williams of video game music. It’s amazing how much memorable music he created for these games. Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, and Zelda: The Ocarina of Time are among my favorites. I’m always inspired by composers who perfectly match (or set) the tone of a game while crafting unforgettable melodies.
I’ve already mentioned Masato Nakamura, but here are a few others I admire:
- David Wise (Donkey Kong Country)
- Grant Kirkhope (Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye 64)
- Soyo Oka (Super Mario Kart, Pilotwings)
- Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy VI and VII)
- Yoko Shimomura (Street Fighter II)
- Kenta Nagata (Mario Kart 64)
- Peter McConnell (Grim Fandango, LucasArts classics)
- Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage 2)
Gamers Heroes
On that same note, I saw that your group takes inspiration from Jazz Standards, Blues, and the Great American Songbook. I’d love to know a bit more about that!
Joel Baer
We’re passionate about big band music and exploring the possibilities of a 17-piece jazz orchestra. Alongside our VGM charts, we’ve been commissioning and releasing original music. Our first self-titled album, a mix of standards and originals, was released in 2020. It was recorded during the same session that produced Joystick Jazz Vol. 1.
We’ve developed a great repertoire of American Songbook standards (from composers like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and the Gershwins) with our band vocalist, Grant Dawson, and we hope to record them soon. We also have an upcoming album with Chicago-based singer/guitarist Guy King, which has a Ray Charles-esque vibe—a mix of jazz, blues, and soul music. In 2021, we released a blues 45 RPM single featuring Guy, Andrew Dunanson, and the late, great Jimmy Johnson. Chicago blues is a huge part of my musical DNA, and I love incorporating it into Blueshift.
When we play club gigs in Chicago, we often mix standards with our VGM-heavy sets. We deeply respect the history of big band and jazz music, and it’s a privilege to play compositions by Charlie Parker or Duke Ellington alongside Koji Kondo’s music.
Gamers Heroes
What does the future have in store for The Blueshift Big Band beyond MAGFest? I did see that you have a truly unique Special Performance with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra in the coming months!
Joel Baer
We’ve got a lot in the pipeline! I won’t reveal too much, but our MAGFest set will offer a preview of future VGM releases. We love collaborating with iam8bit, they’ve been truly amazing partners. We’re also working on an EP with them that includes another Sonic 2 track, so stay tuned!
The Rockford Symphony Orchestra performance on April 5 is a particularly special event for me, as it’s in my hometown. The show, called RSO at the Arcade, will feature Blueshift trading VGM tunes with the orchestra and collaborating on four pieces, including the premiere of a new arrangement from Star Fox 64 by Neil Carson. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience!
For those attending MAGFest 2025 this weekend, don’t miss The Blueshift Big Band’s unforgettable performance on January 24 starting at 6:10pm in the Potomac Ballroom.
A meet-and-greet with The Blueshift Big Band will also be available on January 24 starting at 7:30pm – the perfect chance to meet the band and get your merch signed!
Be sure to follow The Blueshift Big Band on Facebook, Instagram, and Bandcamp, and also check out their official website.
Thank you to Joel Baer of The Blueshift Big Band for taking the time to speak with us, and for PR for arranging this interview!
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