Last night I was reminded how much I'm going to miss this home of 17 years.  My sax "Dad" had me over to his house.  Once there, four other sax buddy's showed up and we relived some of the great times we had during the last few years.  We discussed the good and bad elements of the two bands we represent (Swing City Big Band & Wind Jammers Big Band).  I'd like to pay tribute to each of these great friends.

 First, Dick, my sax "Dad".  A retired school principle.  But like me, he doesn't  understand the concept of retirement.  Thanks to his for our next generation and his skills for building superior teams, he's back on the job.  Dick plays lead alto in SCBB and lead tenor in the WJBB.  You know what?  I can always count on him to lend me a hand when I run out of gas. 

  And now for Tom aka "Doctor Big Note.  One look at that monster he has in his hands, you can see why he has been given that name.  Tom's a former FBI agent.  Now, he spends his time eating pie with his new wife, working as a security gaurd for high profile sporting events and playing baritone sax for the SCBB and a couple other local groups.  When you need a BIG note BLOWN, he's the man for the job.  

The next man at this fine outing is Chuck.  Chuck, the newest addition to the SCBB plays 2nd tenor.  During the day you can find him directing a local high school band.  Chuck and I have formed a bond.  At each gig we could be found placing a critical eye on the clientele.  

Next, we have John.  John's a retired GM worker.  Back in the day he had a fine combo.  Now he's taken on the challenge of reading all of these charts with the WJBB.  Thanks to John's big sound, the sax section with this band is outstanding.  When this section plays (John, Dick (Dad), Mary Jane and me) it sounds like one instrument.  When we play you can't pick an one player.  Everyone blends into one beautiful tone.

 Last, but not least, Glen.  Glen is a sub for both of these two bands.   Alto or Tenor.   When you're in the need for a good player, he fills the bill.  In addition to his time with SCBB and WJBB, Glen plays with several other groups like the LCCC Jazz Band.  

Thanks Dick, Tom, Chuck, John and Glen for your friendship and musicianship.

1. Before each gig, you find yourself warming up more parts of your body.
2. It becomes more important to find a place onstage for your box fan, than your amp.
3. During the second set, you scream for the drummer to please stop hitting those annoying cymbals.
4. Your gig clothes make you look like George Burns out for a round a golf.
5. Your fans have left by 10:30 p.m.
6. All you want from groupies is a foot massage.
7. You love shopping the dollar store because you can sing along to most of your play list.
8. Instead of a fifth piece, your band wants to spring for a roadie with the  extra money.
9. You've lost the directions to the gig.
10. Prepping for the gig involves plucking hair from your ears or nose.
11. Most of the hair you've plucked from your ears  or nose are gray.
12. You need your glasses to see your amp settings and read the charts.
13. You're thrilled to have New Year's Eve off.
14. The waitress is your daughter.
15. You stop the set because your bottle of Ibuprofen fell behind the speakers.
16. Most of your crowd just sways in their seats.
17. You find your drink tokens from last month's gig in your sax case.
18. You refuse to play without earplugs.
19. You check the TV schedule before booking a gig.
20. High notes make you cough.
21. Your gig stool has a back.
22. You need a nap before the gig.
23. After the third set, you bug the club owner to let you quit early.
24. During the breaks, you now go to your van to lay down.
25. You prefer a music stand with a light.
26. You don't recover until Tuesday afternoon.
27. You can't operate without a set list.
    

 

OSWING Fall Formal, Featuring The Swing City Big Band showcasing 14 horn players, a rock-solid four piece rhythm section, and a vocalist that will have you swinging to jump blues, with contemporary swing blues numbers as well as classics made famous by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Bennie Goodman, Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. A lesson will be taught at 8 by OSWING instructors, followed by the dance from 8:30 -11:30. $3 OCID, $8 for all others.

 

Westfield Midway presents the 4th annual "Westfield Works Wonders" Sunday, November 13 from 6:30-10pm!  It's a kick-off to the holiday season featuring more than 70 store discounts, live entertainment and the chance to win one of 40 fantastic prizes - including this year's grand prize...a $1,000 Westfield Gift Card to spend on a shopping spree the day after Thanksgiving! 

 

My partner at the Cleveland plant plays the piano.  When we talked about it, Brian sounded like he might want to get back into it after he finishes the relocaation into the Cleveland area.  Maybe, I can get him interested in playing with the Wind Jammers.  We are always looking for a good keyboard player.  Plus its low pressure.  He can walk in and take his time getting his chops worked back into shape.

I need to put this thought in the back of my mind and wait till the right time...

I added a "voice message" to my Blog.  It can be found in the "North Coast Syncopation NEWS" item on my "Blog List".  This is a clip from my Duo's demo CD. 

Also, I've added the link right here.  Just click...

Becky&Dave

I added a link to "North Coast Syncopation's" web site.  My partner and I have formed a musical duo.  We perform for mainly smaller parties.  With the help of digital sequenced background tracks, we do a large selection of songs and styles. 

The list of sound clips on my Blog are from the NCS demo CD.  There are several more examples on this site, including vocal clips spotlighting Becky, you guest it, my partner.  

Check out the web site and let me know what you think...

This blog is a running dialog on my experiance with three "big bands" in the

Northern Ohio Area....   

Swing City Big Band

Wind Jammers Big Band

Dana Dorsey & the Blue Notes

 You are listening to a sound clip of

"Swing City Big Band" playing Gorilla Man Blues. 

If you like, additional clips are availble by clicking either the

Swing City link for "In The Mood" or the

Wind Jammers link for "Night in Tunisia", enjoy... 

SORRY, I don't have a recording of Dana's Big Band.