Limited Edition Big Band
with vocalist Julie Creighton
Monday, Aug. 1, 7 p.m. 
Outdoors in Town Square
Rain date: Aug. 4 

The Limited Edition Big Band, Inc. has been delighting audiences in the Chicago area for more than 17 years. With a stunning library of over 1100 songs, these musicians cover the full spectrum of big band swing, jazz and dance music. The band was formed in March, 1988 by Dick Gulbrandsen who plays trombone with the group. Dick has had a long standing love affair with big band music, having started his first band in 1950. He has been playing with local area bands ever since. Although he has played shows, orchestra pits, symphonic concert bands and even a drum and bugle corps, big band music is what he enjoys playing the most.

These 17 musicians, many of whom are session players or members of other jazz, big band or pop bands in the Chicago Metropolitan area, are a "cream of the crop" ensemble. The Limited Edition Big Band, Inc. has performed at most venues in the Chicago area and just finished its  5th appearance on the main stage of the Naperville rib fest on July 4 following Loretta Lynn's act. The band has been invited back for July 4, 2006.

Playing a variety of locations, including private parties, formal dinner dances, clubs, festivals and parades, the band has built up quite a following. It has performed at the openings of several area night clubs, including the Living Room in Schaumburg. In the spirit of the old time big bands, the band rented a bus and traveled to southern Illinois to perform at the Peoria Riverfront Jazz Festival.

The ages of the musicians range from 25 to 85, thereby mixing experience with youthful exuberance. Several of the players have toured internationally with big stars. Dick Daugherty, who plays lead also sax, at one time toured with Henry Mancini. Scott Fisher, trombonist, toured with the Ray Charles ensemble in Italy. There are many fine soloists with the band in all sections and they are frequently showcased. Limited Edition also lays claim to a featured trumpet play, Cary Davids, who moonlights as a nuclear physicist.

While the music of greats like Count Basie are popular with the band, classics by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman also are well represented. Many tunes from  the "good old days" have been brought into the present with new, modern arrangements.

Larry Bemben & the Schaumburg Jazz Ensemble

Schaumburg Jazz Ensemble
Monday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m. 
Outdoors in Town Square
Rain date: Aug. 11

Seymour's Big Band
with vocalist Patsy Ihrke
Monday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.
Outdoors in Town Square
Rain date: Aug. 25

Long renowned jazz saxophonist Seymour Axelrood wanted to be a big band leader ever since his high school days. In 1990, Seymour made the extraordinary commitment to realize his dream. Pulling together high quality musicians from as far north as Antioch and as far west as Elgin, he formed Seymour's Big Band. It is a full 16-piece band with vocalist Patsy Ihrke.

The band's music library is extensive and consists of more than 600 musical selections and arrangements, including jazz, swing, rhumbas, mambos, cha cha, tangos, ballads, polkas, waltzes, Motown, country western and much more. The bulk of the band's arrangements have been written by Ken White and Joe Gallagher. The band has the full instrumentation of five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, piano, drums and bass. This versatility allows the band to create a variety of arrangements for corporate parties, weddings, anniversaries, graduation dances and summer concerts in the park, as well as ethnic music for many groups.  Excellent ensemble playing and sterling solo renditions are the trademarks of the organization.

Included in the many venues they have played recently are:
Signature Room at the John Hancock, Chicago Athletic Club, Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Field Museum, Renai ssance Hotel in Oak Brook, Bellini's Ballroom in Libertyville, Oak Park Arms Retirement Center Ballroom (performed every other month on a pro bono basis), Fountain Blue Restaurant in DesPlaines, Rialto Square Center in Joliet, Newberry Library, Maggiano's Banquet Hall of Oak Brook and Drury Lane in Oak Brook.

Patsy Ihrke

Midwest Ballroom with John Russell Ghrist
WDCB 90.9 FM radio

WDCB is a non-commercial, public radio station broadcasting continuously to northeastern Illinois. The station is known for its diverse music programming: lots of jazz, folk, reggae, world, classical and my favorite, "Midwest Ballroom," hosted by John Russell Ghrist, which has aired for four years. It is heard Saturdays at 5 p.m. over 90.9fm WDCB in digital HD and features Chicago area big bands and musicians. The station is owned by the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL and can be heard throughout Chicago and the suburbs, as well as worldwide on the Internet by going to www.WDCB.org.  Listeners may contact John Russell Ghrist at P.O. Box 1073 Dundee, IL 60118.  The show recently observed its 4th anniversary. Additional information on upcoming music events and dances can be found at www.yorkvillebigband.com.  In addition to "Midwest Ballroom," be sure to tune into "Swing Shift" at 11 a. m. with Bruce Oscar and "Those Were the Days," the station's old time radio show with Chuck Schaden from 1 - 5 p.m.

 Midwest Ballroom Programs for August

July 30 -  Dick Gulbrandsen, Limited Edition Big Band with vocalist Julie Creighton
                   The band is composed of a variety of members from band directors to a physicist. They have played at the Addison Gazebo for the past 10 years, and annually at the Peoria Jazz Festival and the Streamwood Parade. The band plays big band standards and jazz.  Vocalist Julie Creighton enjoys singing a variety of vocal arrangements by revisiting some of the beautiful timeless standards as well as more contemporary material.

Aug. 6 - Larry Bemben, Schaumburg Jazz Ensemble              
                   The Larry Bemben Jazz Ensemble has played for numerous community and political functions and has performed at Chevy Chase Ballroom in Wheeling, IL. The orchestra was formed approximately 10 years ago and features popular big band and jazz standards.

Aug. 13 -  Jay Mau Orchestra with vocalist Luci D'Mari
                    Many of the musicians in this orchestra are involved in law enforcement in the Joliet area. Jay plays the music of the Roy Gordon Orchestra which began about 1930. The band has performed for a variety of social and community functions. Vocalist is Luci D'Mari, who has produced and hosted her own TV show, is the vice-president of the Hammond Musicians Union.

Aug. 20 - Seymour's Big Band with vocalist Patsy Ihrke
                    Seymour's Big Band started about 10 years ago and plays every other month at the Oak Park Arms. The band's director is Oak Park Attorney Seymour Axlerood. Ron Koules, another sax player, serves as the emcee. The band has recorded two CD's and is working on a third one of Gershwin music. The band's vocalist is Patsy Irhke.

Aug. 27 - Vito Buffalo Orchestra with vocalists Lee Stevens and Bob Shipner
                     Vito Buffalo has been a bandleader for more than 40 years. His orchestra has played at many Chicago area dance spots including the Willowbrook, Chevy Chase and Melody Mill Ballrooms. The band has recorded several CD's, including some solo albums featuring Vito's vocals. Captain Bob Shipner, a former pilot for Eastern Airlines, radio show host and recording artist with Mercury Records, along with Chicago area jazz and big band singer Lee Stevens, will also appear on the program.

Musically Yours,

Barbara R. Marik

Audiovisual Information Coordinator/Music Programmer • Schaumburg Township District Library
130 South Roselle Road • Schaumburg, IL 60193 • (847) 923-3186