NEWS

THE MUSIC OF ROMANCE AND SWEETEST DAY

October 19, 2024
Richfield United Church of Christ, Richfield Ohio
The autumn sunset in Richfield provided the perfect romantic backdrop for the evening and celebration of Sweetest Day. The Northcoast Big Band prepared a special program combining the Big Band standards the audience expected to hear with the romantic ballads appropriate for the evening. The Richfield United Church of Christ created a special welcoming celebration with deserts and beverages that evening, opening its doors to the community that filled the church Sanctuary in anticipation. Pastor Allan Lang provided the opening welcome and greeting to the audience filled with anticipation.Band Manager Karl Dustman briefly took over and explained the origins of Sweetest Day that started in Cleveland, Ohio in 1921 while providing the audience an insight to the type of musical program that had been assembled with specific tunes from the Great American Song Book. Karl took the opportunity to introduce the band’s Music and Artistic Director Lee Zacharias who also plays the String & Electric Bass in the band. This evening was the first of a performance collaborations the band has with the hosting church.
The band’s Announcer and Commentator John Smith started the program introducing one of the most popular tunes of Glenn Miller in 1941, STRING OF PEARLS.
This up-tempo selection got everyone in the mood for more toe-tapping music which featured instrumental solos by Sax Section Leader, Mike Sherwood, Trumpet feature by Aaron Moen and a Keyboard interlude by Ed Wiles.
We can only imagine everyone remembered the scene from the Glenn Miller Story motion picture when Glenn presents his wife Helen a String of Pearls for her birthday.

The band moved into the music of famed Clarinetist, Artie Shaw performing this original arrangement of Cole Porter’s BEGIN THE BEGUINE. The beautiful clarinet feature solo was covered by Mike Sherwood with Matt Gajkowski handling the Lead Tenor Sax solo work.

Announcer John Smith brought the tempo down with a romantic twist introducing the 1937 Richard Rogers & Lorenz Hart composition of MY FUNNY VALENTINE. A beautiful piece so appropriate for the theme of the evening concert.

Mike Sherwood standing front-row-center, belting out the Alto Sax lead solo

The time came for the introduction of the already well-known and recognized Vocal Artist Jay Nye. Jay commands the presence and attention of the audience in part because of his tall stature but even more so because of his dynamic voice and connection with the audience from his very first tune, FLY ME TO THE MOON. While almost every internationally recognized vocalist has performed and recorded this popular 1954 tune,.. Jay brings out the best of the band and the lyrics with a special arrangement in the style of Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra.

But there was more….. Jay moved forwards with another 1966 Sinatra signature tune, THE SUMMER WIND, reinforced with the traditional Jazz Hammond Organ introduction by Ed Wiles on Keyboard.

Jay Nye is a widely respected vocalist in Northeast Ohio that performs throughout the region on his own and featured soloist. Go to www.nyeguysusa.com for his personal performance schedule.

It was time to introduce the front-row Saxophone Section, which is considered by many, the very center of professional Big Band music. The Sax section consists of two Altos, two Tenors and a Baritone. Most members double on multiple instruments in their section.

Left to right: Matt Gajkowski, Logan Trudgen, Section Leader Mike Sherwood, Brad Vandrasik, and John Smith
While dancing in the aisles may not be appropriate in a church, the audience had a difficult time staying in their seats as the band moved into a Latin flavor, performing the 1954 tune SWAY. Made most recently popular by vocalist Michael Buble’, the band brought in auxiliary percussion-instrument support performed by Jay Nye and Band Photographer Barbara Dustman, adding percussion instruments, Cabasa/Afuche and Guiro. “Cha-cha-cha”.
The band moved onwards to some of its favorite tunes from Cleveland’s own composer Henry Mancini. PINK PANTHER is always quickly identified at the very beginning of the introduction by the swing rhythm played on the TRIANGLE,..with the part covered by Drummer, Karl Dustman. This was the title tune from the motion picture of the same name. Very hot and swinging solos were performed by featured soloists Matt Gajkowski on Tenor Sax and Aaron Moen on Trumpet.
The band continued the novelty flavor appealing to all age groups in the audience with the tune made popular by Sammy Davis Jr. THE CANDY MAN. The tune was released in 1970 and was the center piece music from the motion picture Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Arranged by ever popular Sammy Nestico, the band enjoys this tune and it showed as this and definitely “swings”.

It was time to introduce the Trombone Section, bringing the low brass and full sounding harmonies to the band.
Section Leader Jim Klann, Guest Trombonist Jacob Krucek, 4th/Bass Trombone, John Simna and absent that evening, Doug Rohn on 2nd Trombone. Trombone has been the instrument of so many Big Band Leaders, like Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and so many others.

Jay Ney returns to the microphone with the 1977 tune made most popular by Frank Sinatra from the movie of the same name, THEME FROM NEW YORK, NEW YORK. This is a demanding vocal feature for anyone singing this selection and Jay “belted this out” with flair and definition, creating a unanimous round of applause.

It was time to introduce the Trumpet Section of the band that remained in constant performance throughout the entire concert. Always in tune, always in time, the band thrives on having this outstanding trio of Trumpets.

Section Leader, Eric Holler, 2nd Trumpet Aaron Moen and 3rd Trumpet, Deb Csikos-Vandrasik bring the power and definition to everything from swing tunes to muted trumpets for ballads.

A concert of romantic music would not be complete without the inclusion of UNFORGETABLE, sung by vocalist Jay Nye. This 1951 ballad was originally recorded and made popular by Nat King Cole. Then re-recorded with his daughter Natalie Cole over dubbed into a wonder father and daughter duet of this beautiful song.

The famed vocal artistry of Bobby Darin followed with Jay Nye performing BEYOND THE SEA. This 1959 tune was one of Darin’s most defining big hits of the early sixties. Bobby Darin would be proud of our arrangement and performance of his signature tune.

The fourth and final section of the band was next, spotlighting the Rhythm Section comprised of Ed Wiles on Keyboards, Lee Zacharias on both string and electric Bass and Karl Dustman on Drums. Considered the “metronome of the band”, the Rhythm Section drives the energy for band while establishing the tempos, character and style of the music being performed.

The band’s Announcer-Commentator John Smith starts bringing the music program to a close
while thanking the audience and Richfield United Church of Christ for hosting the event and supporting the band.

One of the band’s closing numbers is well known by all audiences that remember Bob Hope’s radio and television shows as well as the famous USO Christmas performance tours abroad …. the 1938 favorite, THANKS FOR THE MEMORY, featuring the Trumpet solo by Section Leader, Eric Holler, arranged by Johnny Warrington.

While the band stood for the audience’s standing ovation, someone yelled “ENCORE” in the back of the room …and the applause got even louder.

Announcer, John R. Smith

A standing ovation for The Northcoast Big Band, featuring Vocalist, Jay Nye

Never at a loss for words, Announcer John Smith responded to the audience by introducing the 1938 Glenn Miller Orchestra’s most famous rendition of IN THE MOOD, featuring soloists Logan Trudgen Alto Sax, Matt Gajkowski, Tenor Sax and Arron Moen on Trumpet.

However, one Encore was not enough for this audience and they demanded one-more tune,…… The band responded by taking up the tempo even faster by performing the ever-so-popular WOODCHOPPERS BALL,.. also recognized as The Woody Herman Orchestra’s theme song. Even the band’s Music Director-Bass Player Lee Zacharias got a twelve bar blues Bass solo on this one.

A magical evening of Big Band music performing some of the most famous tunes combining with a romantic Sweetest Day selection brought the evening and concert to a close. The audience was then treated to a Meet and Greet with the band in Fellowship Hall complete an assortment of deserts, beverages and conversation about the music everyone enjoyed.

Plans are already developing for a return IN CONCERT performance at Richfield United Church of Christ in the Spring.
Watch for dates and details.