DANNY BARBER, GUEST TRUMPETER TO PERFORM WITH ‘BIG BAND’ CONCERT

Director Dr. Moely indicated, "It has become a tradition with the St. Joseph Municipal Band season to begin and end the season with an extra concert by forming a "big band" group from the outstanding talent of the Municipal Band members. When the big band concert first performed several years ago, the audience loved it and there were many requests to continue that appearance. The band season traditionally now adds this ‘Big Band’ concert at 9:00 p.m. on the opening concerts of the season, the last Sunday in June and the Sunday before labor day.

As with all the municipal band concert format, the big band begins with it’s own opening ceremony, by beginning with a Jerry Lackey arrangement of "Star Spangled Banner." This is followed by a jazzy version of "Strike up the Band," arranged by Sammy Nestico. The program follows with featuring Phil Barham on "Georgia on My Mind," a Hoagey Carmichael tune arranged by Dave Barduhn. The band does a favorite swing tune "Sing, Sing Sing," by Louis Prima. Next the big band program brings out Michelle Bythrow, guest vocal soloist, who will sing two selections– "Stormy Weather," and "Fly Me to the Moon." Christopher Keech, tenor saxophone will be featured in "My Funny Valentine," a Rodgers and Hart melody arranged by Mark Taylor. Another popular swing tune of the era is "Tuxedo Junction," arranged by Bob Lowden.

Next the band features its guest trumpet soloist, Danny Barber

DANNY BARBER is known throughout the music industry for his in-depth sound, his power, and musicality and his ability to utilize all registers of the trumpet. Born in Clinton, Indiana, Daniel (Danny) Barber started his music career by playing the cornet at a very early age. Andrew Barber, a fine player himself, tutored his son until Danny graduated from high school and auditioned for the U.S. Army Studio Band in Washington D.C. At 18 he was accepted into the Jazz Ensemble of the United States Army Field Band and toured the United States for three years. After leaving the military he was again recruited, this time by the Tommy Dorsey Band under the direction of Murray McCeaceran and Buddy Morrow. From there he went on to play with the Maynard Ferguson Band for three years. Danny Barber’s playing credentials as a free lance trumpeter include: 1) recording dates and performances with the Chicago Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Utah Symphony Orchestra, 2) performing as the featured soloist with "The Black Kyke Miles Band,"at the 2002 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Manchester, England 3) performing as the Principal Trumpet with Newton Wayland of the Midwest Pops for ten years, 4) numerous radio and television commercials, 5) several Broadway shows including Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera, 6) recordings with CBS Records, Maynard Ferguson, Styx, Chicago City Lights Orchestra, Brass Band of Battle Creed, and the buddy Childers Big Band. Danny can also be heard on four of, arranger/composer, Frank Mantooth’s albums and the sound track from the movie "A League of Their Own". His Jazz and Pop appearances included performances with some of the biggest names in entertainment: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Rogers, Doc Severinsen, Natalie Cole, Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Styx, Anthony Quinn, Henry Mancini, Joel Grey, Ann Margaret, Tommy Tune, Louie Bellson, Frank Sinatra Jr. and many others. Along with Mr. Barbers free lance work, he is currently an Instructor of Trumpet at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, Michigan and a Selmer Clinician, where he teaches clinics and performs throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He is also a member of the "Brass Band of Battle Creek"; featured at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1999. Danny is also a member of the "Jazz Members Big Band of Chicago" which has played for the Kennedy Center Honors for the past twelve years in Washington D.C.

Guest soloist Danny Barber will play "Oh Danny Boy," an Irish folk tune arranged by Don Sebesky recently for the Maynard Ferguson Band. Director Dr. Moely indicated that Danny toured with the Maynard Ferguson band for three years.

The big band then returns with "Pennsylvania 6–5000, by Glenn Miller, and then does "A String of Pearls" featuring its guest dancers, Heather Densmore of Chicago and Michael Moely of Holland. Heather Densmore is a Consultant with Deloitte Consulting in Chicago. Michael Moely is a news reporter for the WOOD NBC--TV affiliate in Grand Rapids. They were former instructors of the Notre Dame ‘Swing Dance’ club. They continue to dance and teach in the Chicago and Grand Rapids areas.

The program then continues with featuring Danny Barber on a jazzed up version arranged by Jeff Turner, of "Fanfare for the Common Man," composed by Aaron Copland.

The concert ends with its traditional closer "In the Mood," and brings back the swing dancers Heather Densmore and Michael Moely to help celebrate the end of the "Big Band" concert.