Ron Mills Orchestra
with
vocalist Kate Rafferty
Ron
Mills, Bandleader
Monday, June 4
Rain
date: June 7
7 - 8:30
p.m.
Ron Mills Orchestra is sponsored by
Larry and Dan's
Marathon
Service Station
(847)
895-3467
Ron
Mills has been at the
piano since age 5 and writing music since age 9. Heralded among
the “who’s who in Chicago music” as a pianist and conductor, he has
performed everywhere from the Kennedy Center in Washington , D.C. to the Tsumagoi Resort in
Japan . Ron has written over 700 big band
arrangements as well as ensembles ranging from string quartet
to full symphony orchestra, from jazz combos to the Miss
America Pageant. Ron began playing in his father’s big band
at age 10, performing on
the piano, guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet and
trombone, as well as writing music. He studied privately with famous
arranger Billy Byers and worked with world class musicians such
as Steve Gadd, Jon Faddis, Clark Terry, Tom Scott, James Moody,
Billy Hart and others. Additionally, Ron has conducted for Bob
Hope, Johnny Carson, Barry Williams, Bob Newhart, The Coasters, The
Drifters, The Shirelles, Leonard Nimoy and numerous stars of the
Lawrence Welk show. He has also performed with and conducted
for several symphony orchestras and recorded for Polygram and Seabreeze
Records. Ron and Kate Rafferty also write, produce, and
perform in themed dinner theater-type shows across the
USA .
 Ron
Mills and Kate
Rafferty
Vocalist
Kate Rafferty is the daughter of
a well-known North Shore Chicago bandleader. She has
appeared as a featured vocalist in several top
Chicago
area
bands, as well as 40+ symphony orchestras across the
United
States -
from Anchorage
to
Atlanta
and
Canada
.
Her vast experience is reflected in her many singing styles and
languages. Kate toured with the Chicago-based vocal trio
"Stardust" for several years. Heralded as "
Chicago
's song
stylist," Kate has opened for Ray Charles, Marvin
Hamlisch, Myron Floren, the Tommy Dorsey Band and the Nelson Riddle
Orchestra. In addition, she works as a voice actor for
radio and film. Kate has the distinction of being the
only female vocalist for the Ron Mills Orchestra since its
inception. Members of the RMO refer to her as "the singer
you can tune up to!" Her beautiful voice and wide
range are truly remarkable, with a warm personality to
match. Kate and Ron also write, produce and perform themed
dinner theater-type shows across the
USA
.
A special thank
you goes to Larry and Dan's Marathon Service Station, located
adjacent to t he library, for their generous support as a
co-sponsor of this event.
Native Sounds Surround
Schaumburg
Saturday, June 9
Time: 7 p.m - 8:30 p.m.
Funded
by a grant from the Target Corporation and presented by the
Trickster Gallery and the Schaumburg Township District Library
DJ
Vanas
D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas is a husband, father,
internationally acclaimed motivational storyteller and success
coach. He is also the author of the celebrated book The Tiny
Warrior: A Path to Personal Discovery & Achievement which
is printed is six countries.
D.J. is Odawa Indian from
Michigan and uses traditional warrior concepts and wisdom to inspire
others to achieve their best in life and career. For over a decade,
he's delivered his dynamic programs in 45 states and overseas to
over 1,500 audiences including NASA, IBM, Hewlett Packard, and
hundreds of tribal governments, communities and schools.
He
holds a B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an M.S. from
University of Southern California. After serving ten years as an Air
Force officer, he is now the president of his own company, Native
Discovery Inc. D.J.'s mission is to "build the warriors of
tomorrow...today" and can be reached
at dj@nativediscovery.com.
Buggin
Malone
Winner
of the 2006 Native American Music Award in Best R&B/Rap/Hip-Hop,
as well as the 2006 Indian Summer Music Award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap
for his 2nd Album, “Spirit World," Buggin
Malone speaks and raps on violence and issues of Native
American injustice, poverty and oppression. His songs reflect his
vision of the world and his place in it.
Bluedog
Nominated at the 2006 Native American Music
Awards for Best Blues & Best Debut Artist/Group, and Indian
Summer Music Awards for Best Blues, this Native American band
sports a unique blend of contemporary blues, rock, R&B and folk.
Bluedog is known for its instantly identifiable sound, which
appeals to audiences of all genders, ages and creeds.
Red Ponie Band
Guitar driven, with powerful vocals and
rhythm - Red Ponie brings an intense, almost spiritual energy
to the stage. From their blues and rock to their originals, Red
Ponie can transform any ordinary evening or event into a whole lot
more.
Mark LeMere
Native American
Guitarist |
|
SUMMER PROGRAMS
IN TOWN
SQUARE
The Big Band Concert Series at Town
Square sponsored by the Schaumburg Township District Library will
once again present its concert series from Monday, June 4 through
Monday, Aug. 13. All ages are welcome to come and
hear some of Chicagoland's best suburban bands and singers. In case of bad weather, the orchestral concerts will
be rescheduled with a rain date. Most events start at 7 p.m.
unless otherwise noted. Plan to attend with your
lawn chair and bottled water. The earlier you arrive, the better the
seating. For your convenience, we plan on handing out a program
guide showing all of the outdoor events. The programs are
presented in cooperation with the Village of Schaumburg, the
Schaumburg Park District and the Trickster Gallery. For more
information, please call (847) 985-4000 for library programs, ( 847)
490-7020 for park district programs or (847) 301-2090 for the
Trickster Gallery programs.
Vito Buffalo
Orchestra
Vocalists Lee Stevens and Bob
Shipner
Vito Buffalo,
Bandleader
Monday, June 11
Rain date: June 14
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Vito Buffalo Orchestra
The Vito Buffalo
Orchestra has played in many fashionable ballrooms
including Chevy Chase, Itasca Country Club, Drake Hotel in Chicago,
Melody Mill Ballroom, Palmer House, Pheasant Run, Willowbrook and
others. The orchestra has appeared regularly for Founder's Day in
Algonquin for the past 40 years. When on the road,
Vito performed for the Arthur Murray Dance Studios. In
Davenport, Iowa, Vito and the orchestra entertained along with Ed
McMahon at the Quad City Open Golf Tournament
Dance.
Vito Buffalo has been a bandleader
for more than 40 years. He plays trumpet, sings and
does impersonations which include Louis Armstrong, Frank
Sinatra and Tony Bennett. The orchestra consists of five
saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, one piano, one bass,
drums and a guitar. Five members of this orchestra are
Northwest suburban school band directors. They come from Elk Grove
Village, Woodstock, Crystal Lake, Barrington and Schaumburg. The
band director from Schaumburg High School is Gregg Tipps,
who has played with the orchestra for many years and plays 1st
trumpet. The orchestra
has recorded several CD's which will be available for purchase
after the event.
Lee Stevens
Lee Stevens has sung at many Chicago and
suburban night spots. She has appeared on stage with pianist Ramsey
Lewis and has recorded three CD's. Her 1995 "Living A Dream"
album made the Grammy ballot.
Bob Shipner with Vito Buffalo
Captain Bob Shipner was a pilot for
Eastern Airlines for more than 30 years. While in the military, he
worked for Armed Forces Radio and TV Service and Northwest Indiana
radio. He also recorded for Mercury Records in the 1950's and
has sung at many clubs, ballrooms and community events. He plays the
trumpet and has recorded one CD. Bob is presently working on a new
CD with Chicago area musicians.
 Yorkville American Legion
Big Band Vocalists Leslie Beukelman and Dean
Potter
Guest appearance - Tres Bella as
"The Andrew
Sisters"
Rick Falato,
Bandleader
Monday, June 18
Rain date: June 21
7 - 9
p.m.
The Yorkville American Legion Big Band is
directed by Rick Falato and has been delighting audiences since
1993. Rick is an experienced band director who is still enjoying
music after 38 years of teaching instrumental music in the Illinois
Public School System. For several years, large enthusiastic
audiences have been attending the monthly Yorkville Big Band Dance
held the 3rd Sunday of each month from September through
May. The dances are held at the Yorkville American legion hall
located on Route 34 and east of Route 47 in Yorkville, IL. In April
1994 the Yorkville American Legion Post 489 chose to sponsor the
group and the Yorkville American Legion Big Band was born.
A “labor of love” best
describes the band. Their music covers a large area of sounds from
the 40’s and 50’s along with new arrangements of the famous big
bands such as Glenn Miller, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie,
Ray Anthony, Billy May and other great bands that played in that
era. The band is composed of musicians from the entire Fox Valley
area: Yorkville, Plano, Aurora, St. Charles, Morris, Sandwich,
Bristol, Newark, Montgomery, Naperville, Clarendon Hills, Winfield
and Oswego. The instrumentation of the Yorkville Big Band consists
of 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, keyboard, bass, drums,
guitar, 2 vocalists, mistress of ceremony and band leader/trumpet
soloist Rick Falato.
Carol Falato
The host
for the evening will be Carol Falato, wife of
Band Leader Rick Falato. She introduces the band, soloists, and
songs, as well as providing comic relief during solo assignments.
Previous engagements of the band include Paramount Art Centre in
Aurora, Aurora Glass Ball, Yorkville Riverfront Days, Oswego Prairie
Fest, Sandwich Fair, Speaker of the House Denny Hastert’s Homecoming
reception, Mercy Center Christmas Dinner/Dance, Oswego’s Relay for
Life, Walter Payton’s Round House for the Aurora Chamber of Commerce
and many, many more.
Dean Potter and Leslie Beukelman
The featured vocalists for the evening will be Leslie
Beukelman and Dean Potter. This
year, we are proud to introduce a new act to the show!
Tres Bella will be performing their "Andrew Sisters
Revue" alongside Leslie and Dean - playing all the favorties from
the days of Boogie Woogie.
|
|
Maxwell Street
Klezmer Band
Lori Lippitz,
Bandleader
Monday, June 25
Rain date: June 28
6:45 - 8:30
p.m.
|
Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
was founded in 1983 by singer Lori Lippitz. It is one of America's
top Klezmer show bands and has performed on countless stages across
America and Europe. Their unique concerts are richly comprised of
their own traditional Klezmer music, songs from the golden age of
the Yiddish theater and original Klezmer-classical compositions, all
offered with energy and humor. Jazzy Yiddish pop music from the
1930's to the 1950's includes male and female vocals and duets, all
delivered with warmth and humor. A Maxwell Street show never fails
to engage any audience with enthusiasm and personality, regardless
of age and cultural backgrounds.
Their performances have been staged across America and
Europe, including Europe including Germany, London, Munich, Vienna,
Amsterdam, Enschede and The Hague. In 1998, the band gave their
debut performance at Carnegie Hall and at New York's Damrosch Park
at Lincoln Center. Maxwell Street has appeared on the PBS program
"World Stage Chicago" in 1995 and was featured again on Public
Television's "Artbeat Chicago" in March 1999. One of their songs was
featured in an episode of ABC's "Saving Grace." Maxwell Street has
been featured annually on Network Chicago's (PBS) "Do It Yourself
Hanukkah" television special. In 2004, Maxwell Street's 2002 CD "Old
Roots, New World" was voted "Best Jewish/Hebrew/Klezmer Album" by
the Just Plain Folks 2004 music awards.
Lori Lippitz
Lori Lippitz founded Maxwell Street in
1983, one of the first bands to launch the klezmer revival in
the Midwest. Under the auspices of her Klezmer Music
Foundation, Lori organized an annual Midwest Klezmer and Yiddish
Music Institute, as well as the Maxwell Street Junior Klezmer
Orchestra, a training ground for teens. She co-founded the Yiddish
Arts Ensemble, a family repertory company. As Cantor for at the
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation of Evanston, Lori organized
their congregational klezmer band. She lectures on klezmer music and
is a frequent guest on National Public Radio and Public Television.
She also has been honored by The Guide to Jewish Chicago as
being one of the top ten Jewish Chicagoans of 2004.
Steve Cooper Orchestra
Vocalist Mary Kalfas
Steve Cooper, Bandleader
Wednesday, June 27
Rain
date: July 5
7 - 8:30 p.m.
The Steve Cooper Orchestra, one
of the most popular Midwest bands,
has been performing in the Chicago area for more than 25
years at prime locations including Willowbrook Ballroom, Chevy Chase
Country Club, Cantigny Park and others. In addition, the orchestra
plays for weddings, parties and corporate events in the Chicago
area. The Steve Cooper Orchestra has also performed on the Oprah
Winfrey Show and recently played private parties for Mary Tyler
Moore, Julie Andrews, Jim Belushi, Phil Donahue, Liza Minelli, Carol
Channing and several other celebrities. Orchestra members have
played with bands including Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Bob Crosby,
Sammy Kaye, Wayne King and Lawrence Welk.
Steve
and the band play the actual music of the swing bands of Glenn
Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and the music of the sweet bands
of Dick Jurgens, Eddie Howard, Lawrence Welk and many others. In
addition to the jitterbug and swing music, they play Dixieland Jazz,
all the hot Latin dance styles, polkas, waltzes, country and western
and they even play music of Jimmy Buffett, Santana, Stevie Wonder
and The Beach Boys in the Ballroom Style.
 Mary
Kalfas
Joining the Steve Cooper Orchestra on
June 27 is vocalist Mary Kalfas,
who sings in the styles of composers Irving
Berlin, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Sammy Cahn, Rodgers and Hart
and Jerome Kern. Mary easily slides between the styles of Big
Band and Swing, receiving a standing ovation wherever she goes.
 Steve Cooper
Entertainment planned for the evening includes many
famous Big Band Theme Songs, great All-American songs of George
Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, and favorite songs made
famous by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Rosemary Clooney, Tony
Bennett, Perry Como and many others. Steve and the orchestra will
also recreate a Hit Parade show, counting down the top songs. Steve
will perform many of the most famous TV Theme Songs of the past 40
years, including Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, I Dream of
Jeannie and many others. Also, something NEW this year - the best of
the old musical TV Commercials. Songs we all grew up with - lots of
memories! | |
