Bands

I’ve played with this 17-piece big band since its beginnings as a dinner theater project for a church fundraiser.

Here are some YouTube recordings of the band playing at Huntsville’s Concerts in the Park series in 2007 and 2008.

Here’s what the Birmingham News had to say after we played at the City Stages festival in Birmingham in 2007:

ROCKET CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Big band sound
at Dance Depot

If City Stages had been around in the¤’40s, you might have seen more
groups like this 19-piece big band from Huntsville. They fired up their
brass, winds, percussion and vocals in high style Saturday at 2 p.m.
under the tent at the Vault Dance Depot. The ghosts of Tommy Dorsey,
Glenn Miller and Count Basie wafted through Birmingham streets in
standards including “How High the Moon,” “Route 66″ and “Come Rain or
Come Shine” (which should be adopted as City Stages’ theme song). This
is a tight, well-rehearsed ensemble, overflowing with rhythm and well
suited for this popular stage. More than a dozen couples strutted to the
music of this bygone era in the afternoon heat. A few dozen more swayed
to the beat in portable seats and in bleachers outside the tent.

This is a five-piece band featuring the vocals of Leilani Hammock. Painted Melodies features sultry sounds like Peggy Lee’s Fever, upbeat standards like Diana Krall might sing (Devil May Care), songs with the “verse” intro included like Rosemary Clooney or even Billie Holiday might have done (I Didn’t Know What Time It Was), and familiar but seldom-played songs from movies, like How Little We Know, sung by Lauren Bacall in To Have or To Have Not, with Hoagy Carmichel playing in the band.

Painted Melodies has made several appearances in the Huntsville Library concert series.

Other band members are Larry Jansen, drums; Mark Hixon, keyboard; and Jerry Phillips, saxophone.

  • Swing Shift

A five-piece combo, Swing Shift appeared at the Jazz Factory every Friday night until the restaurant closed in 2009. Swing Shift plays for wedding receptions, corporate parties, and other events. Swing Shift features swing and easy-listening traditional jazz.

Other band members are Chris Evans, guitar; Emerson Scott, keyboard and flugle horn; Werner Smock, trumpet; and “Buckwheat” Terry L. Turner, drums.

Mohair Sam was named for our idol, fast talkin’ slow walkin’ good lookin’ Mohair Sam. This small blues band features the vocals of Helen Keniston-Oney, also known in radioland as Helen K. Other members include Larry Janzen, drums, and a player to be named later.

Mohair Sam features traditional blues as performed by artists like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Susan Teceschi.

One Human Family is an multifaith, multiethnic organization that works toward racial equality, primarly through gospel choirs. I sing and occasionally play bass with the local OHF chapter. We are always looking for new members. You don’t have to be a good singer, and you don’t have to read music. Contact me if you’re interested.

  • Hogue Sinfonietta

A community orchestra comprised of skilled amateurs, part-time professional musicians, and retired symphony players, conducted by Charles Hogue, principal viola in the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

Page last updated: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 [ 12:00 pm ]