West End Jazz Band
 |
|
West End Jazz Band
Monday, June 6 at 7
p.m.
Town Square Park
The
West End Jazz Band is a
six-piece group specializing in early jazz and swing music from the
1920s and 1930s. The band members are:
Mike
Bezin, bandleader, coronet player and vocals. Mike Bezin
started the West End Jazz Band in 1975. His style leaned towards the
likes of Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke and
King Oliver. Mike has played with polka bands, traditional German
bands, concert symphonies and big bands, but none of these
styles compared to his interest in the style of music performed
by the West End Jazz Band.
Frank
Gualtieri on trombone. Frank's musical roots are in
big bands and pos t be-bop jazz. He has played with many bands in
and around Chicago including jobbing bands, Latin bands, big bands,
swing bands, jazz combos and musicals. He is also a member of the
Bob Perna Orchestra. Frank has played under the direction of some
well-known leaders such as Ralph Marterie, Ray McKinley, Lee Castle,
Sammy Kaye and Doc Severenson.
John
Otto on alto sax, alto clarinet and vocals. John
is a full-time jobbing musician and piano technician who enjoys
playing many styles of music. He has performed and recorded with
many well-known bands nationwide.
Leah Bezin on
tenor banjo, tenor guitar and vocals. Known as Leah LaBrea,
"The Windy City Songbird," Leah started with piano which later
led to the banjo. She eventually became a member of the Coon-Sanders
Nighthawks Club. The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks Orchestra was a
popular Kansas City-based jazz group found in 1919 by Joe Sanders
and Carlton Coon, which remained a popular draw through the 1930's
mainly through their association with Chicago's Blackhawk
Restaurant. She eventually beca me a member of the West End Jazz
Band and embarked on being a jobbing musician in the traditional
jazz circut in the Chicago area and across the
country.
Mike Albiniak on drums.
Mike's passion for drumming spans 40 years. He is a charter member
of the DePaul University Jazz Big Band and freelanced for many years
with wedding bands, rock groups, show bands and modern jazz
combos.
Mike Walbridge on tuba.
Mike has worked with many bands countrywide both on tuba and
coronet. He also leads his own band, The Chicago Footwarmers
Hot Dance Orchestra, a large group also dedicated to hot dance and
swing music of the late 20's and 30's. Mike first performed with the
"Dogs" in 1958 at Purdue and is still having fune with those guys
today.
Mike Bezin's
arranging abilities take a variety of musical sources
and adapt them to the current six-piece West End Jazz Band
ensemble. Drawing from
groups such as the California Ramblers, Coon-Sanders Original
Nighthawks, Russ Carson and the High Steppers and others, his
musical versions are a blend of original recordings and new ideas.
In
case of inclement weather, the performance will move to the
Audiovisual Department. Seating is limited indoors and will be
available on a first-come, first-seated basis. The West End Jazz
Band accepts inquiries by calling (708) 788-5460 or their
website: http://www.
westendjazzband.com/ |
|
Town Square
|
Audiovisual's Big Band Concerts
|
|
It
is June and the Big Band Concert Series has begun! Bring your
lawn chairs and get ready as the Schaumburg Township District
Library presents a baker's dozen of free outdoor concerts at 7 p.m.
on Mondays from June through August in Schaumburg's Town
Square. All ages are welcome to come and hear some of
Chicagoland's best suburban bands and singers.
John Russell Ghrist has graciously agreed to
emcee the events and feature music by the bands each week on his
weekly Midwest Ballroom radio show on
WDCB 90.9fm. Barbara Marik, who coordinates the
library's concerts, was interviewed by John for his June 4
program. She will present a preview of the
library's Summer Concert Series, including the schedule of free
outdoor concerts set for Monday evenings in Schaumburg's Town
Square. Radio station WDCB is a co-sponsor of the programs.
Please remember, all concerts begin at 7
p.m.
Concert cups will be available to attendees. One side of
these 22 oz. cups will feature the 13 events by
performance date. The other side will include businesses that
have agreed to co-sponsor our events. This is a very exciting
time for the library because we have never featured so many great
big bands in one
season.
We are
honored and excited to present the following roster of events
for June. These four events include rain dates. In case of bad weather,
the June 6 and June 20 concerts will move indoors to the library's
Audiovisual Department. The other two orchestral concerts will
be rescheduled for Thursday of the same week.
Bob Duda and the Swingin'
Brass
Bob Duda and the
Swingin'
Brass
Monday June 13 - 7 p.m.
Town Square
Park
Join us on June 13 when Bob Duda and
the Swingin' Brass present a two hour program. Bob Duda is one of
the most sensitive singers today. His voice has a texture that is
soft and caressing. He puts his whole heart on the line for everyone
to see when singing the standards made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean
Martin and Bobby Darin.
Bob
has a quality of style and phrasing that will kindle a flame in the
coldest of hearts. He has been performing in and around the
Chicagoland area for the past six years. Bob has performed at the
Taste of Chicago, Michigan Avenues Summer Dance, Dancing Under the
Picasso, numerous suburban park concerts, corporate events, private
parties, charities and fundraisers. Bob has performed for Senators
and Congressmen as well as the Mayor of Chicago.
For an evening of
fun, nostalgia, romance and a little bit of Las Vegas entertainment,
come snap your fingers, get up and dance or just sing along to some
of your favorite tunes.
In
case of inclement weather, the rain date is set for Thursday, June
16 in Town Square. Bob Duda accepts
inquiries by calling (773)547-3401 or by e-mail at blueskies@aol.com |
July and August
Concerts
July
11 Steve Cooper Orchestra with
vocalist Mary Kalfas.
Rain Date: Thursday, July 14
July 18 Ron
Smolen Orchestra with vocalist Marvina Bowker.
Rain Date:
Thursday, July 21
July 20 Spring Valley
Concert Band
July 25 Yorkville American
Legion Big Band with vocalists Dean Potter & Leslie Beukelman.
Rain date: Thursday,
July 28
Aug. 1 Dick Gulbrandsen Big
Band with vocalist Julie Creighton.
Rain date: Thursday,
August 4
Aug. 8 Larry Bemben Jazz
Ensemble
Rain date: Thursday, August 11
Aug. 15
Jay Mau Orchestra with vocalist Luci D'Mari.
Rain date: Thursday,
August 18
Aug. 22 Seymour's Big Band with
vocalist Patsy Ihrke.
Rain date: Thursday, August 25
Aug.
29 V ito Buffalo Orchestra with vocalist Lee
Stevens.
Rain date: Thursday, September
1
We are grateful to the
following businesses for their involvement and support
and encourage all of you to patronize them.
Applebee's (847)
352-4706
Bonefish Grill (847) 534-0679
El Meson Mexican Cuisine
(847) 882-1716
Oberweis Ice Cream & Dairy Store
(847)
534-0544
Schaumburg Academy of Music
(847) 534-6633
Sterling
Promotions Plus (847) 895-6414
Washington Mutual (847)
891-6102
Wayne Giesel, CLU/Farmers Insurance
(847)
884-8400
90.9fm WDCB Public Radio from the
College of DuPage
Movie Licensing,
USA
The
library has acquired a Movie Copyright Compliance Site License from Movie
Licensing USA.
| Wednesday Night at
the Movies |
| Wednesdays |
7
p.m. |
Audiovisual
Department |
| Every Wednesday at 7 p.m. the Audiovisual Department will
exhibit a feature film. For additional information, contact the
Audiovisual Department at (847) 923-3182. |
| Thursday Afternoon at
the Movies |
| Thursdays |
2
p.m. |
Audiovisual
Department |
| Every Thursday at 2 p.m. the Audiovisual Department will
exhibit a feature film. For additional information, contact the
Audiovisual Department at (847)
923-3182. | |
Banjo Buddies Dixieland Jazz
Band
|
Banjo Buddies
Dixieland Jazz Band
Monday,
June 20 at 7 p.m.
Town Square Park
On June 20, the Banjo Buddies
Dixieland Jazz Band will present a one-hour program on
Dixieland Jazz and popular standards from the 20's to the
50's.
Often called the Diva of Dixieland, leader
Ann Stewart is featured on jazz banjo and is known
for her sultry vocal style. Her energy and enthusiasm fuels the
exclusive arrangements performed by the group which includes the
dynamic and powerful horns of Tim Stewart
on trombone and Al Ramsey on trumpet, and the
driving rhythm section of the talented and versatile Verne
Rind on drums and Mike Zudis on
bass.
This Banjo Buddies Dixieland Jazz Band has
performed throughout the country with its unique style of
Dixieland entertainment for over two decades. The band is unique
because of its eclectic approach to this style of music with a
contemporary feel that appeals to all ages. Don't miss out on this
exciting Dixieland jazz sound that includes everything from
swing, blues, big band tunes, novelty tunes and much more presented
in an entertaining fashion with vocals.
Due to the versatility and popularity of the
band, it is in demand and plays over 250 engagements each year from
Performing Art Centers to major nightspots and resorts, national and
internation festivals, trade shows, theme parks, cruise ships,
libraries and countless private functions. The Illinois Festival
Association Hall of Fame named Banjo Buddies "Entertainers of
the Year" and the band has recorded eight albums.
In case of inclement weather, the performance
will move to the Audiovisual Department. Seating is limited indoors
and will be available on a first-come, first-seated basis. The
Banjo Buddies Dixieland Jazz Band accepts inquiries by calling Ann
Stewart at (630)876-0570 or by e-mail at: ann@banjobuddies.com or
through their website: www.banjobuddies.com.
Kings of
Dixieland
Kings of Dixieland
Monday, June 27 at 7 p.m.
Town Square
On June 27, the Kings of
Dixieland will present a one and one-half hour program on
Dixieland Jazz. The style is sweet, sad, gentle,
exuberant, foot stomping, hand-clapping, body swaying music that was
born at the turn of the century. The Kings of Dixieland, who
hail from the Kankakee area, will bring to the Town Square stage all
the fun and excitment for which Dixieland music is known for.
The band members are:
Bandleader,
Dave King, formed the Kings of Dixie in 1983. He
has been a musician for 35 years playing the trumpet and keyboard.
Besides the Kings of Dixie, Dave plays trumpet in the Dave King Jazz
Quintet and the Swing Kings Orchestra. He also plays trumpet in the
Paul Germano Orchestra. Dave is the founder and Commander of the
Theatiki Fife and Drum Corps. Dave went to Millikin University and
toured Europe with the Millikin Jazz Band. Dave is co-owner
and Vice President of King Music in Bradley,
IL.
Randy King, Dave's brother, has been a
musician for 35 years and has played clarinet with the Kings of
Dixie since 1983. He also plays tenor sax and clarinet with the Dave
King Jazz Quintet. Randy is the leader of a 16 piece orchestra
called the Swing Kings where he plays tenor and alto sax, flute and
clarinet. He also plays tenor sax wi th the Paul Germano Orchestra.
Randy is a graduate of Millikin University where he played and
toured Europe for 2 years with the Millikin Jazz Band. While
at Millikin he had the opportunity to play with Buddy Rich. Randy
can be found at King Music in Bradley where he is co-owner and
President.
Paul Germano is a trombone player and has
been a musician for more than 25 years. Paul has been playing
trombone with the Kings of Dixie since it was formed in 1983. He is
the band leader of the eight-piece Paul Germano Orchestra and
also plays with a brass quintet called R.A. Brass.
Steve Betts has been
the drummer in the Kings of Dixie since it was formed in 1983. He
also plays trombone in the Swing Kings Orchestra.
Rick Benzik plays
tuba and has been with the Kings of Dixie since 1989.
Jim
Stone plays banjo and has been with the Kings of Dixie
since 1995. He has been a musician for 40 years.
The band has
been heavily involved in the Bradley, Bourbonnais and Momence
areas for many years. In case of inclement weather, a rain
date has been set for Thursday, June 30 in Town Square. Dave
King accepts inquiries by calling (815)935-1115 or by e-mail djkboysrus@aol.com. |
|
| |
