BRATTLEBORO — The Vermont Jazz Center will be swinging into the holiday season again with the fabulous sounds of the big band era presented by their own 17-piece big band accompanied by special guest vocalists on Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Jazz Center on 72 Cotton Mill Hill.
The big band concert has become an annual tradition for the VJC and is truly an expression of community. It includes some neighbors you might not have known were excellent musicians like trombonist Bob Thies from Hotel Pharmacy, BUHS Music Director Steve Rice on drums and younger performers Arthur Davis on trumpet (from BUHS) and Anna Johnson on trombone (from Keene State).
Other Big Band members include some of the areas finest jazz musicians including featured soloists Charlie Schneeweis on trumpet and Scott Mullett on saxophone and this year The Big Band will be catering especially to dancers as they interpret arrangements made famous by some of the swing era's most famous bandleaders. A sampling of the program includes Take the A Train written by Billy Strayhorn for the Duke Ellington Band, Count Basie's All of Me, Lionel Hampton's Flying Home, Benny Goodman's Jersey Bounce, Thelonious Monk's Little Rootie Tootie and of course, a selection of Mambos for Latin dance fans.
Our special guest vocalist this year is Boston's own Amanda Carr, who Nat Hentoff, in The Wall Street Journal calls “a true jazz singer in a time of wannabes.” She's the daughter of a big band vocalist (Nancy Carr) and a big band trumpeter (Nick Capezuto, most known for Herb Pomeroy Band). She began her singing career at a very young age, singing and playing keyboards in rock and pop bands. She initially rejected her calling, but in recent years she has acquiesced to her natural tendencies and focused on creating fresh interpretations of the Great American Songbook.
Carr will sing a selection of big band arrangements of familiar tunes like Over the Rainbow, Blue Moon and Almost Like Being in Love. She will be joined by resident vocalist and VJC Board member, Mark Anagnostopoulus, a local favorite whose enjoyment of jazz is contagious. He will offer his upbeat interpretation of All Right, Okay (you win, I'm in love with you).
There will also be tasty desserts, beer, wine and soft drinks available to make your evening especially sweet. You can even reserve seating at a table so you will have a place to rest your wine glass when you are not on the dance floor.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $28 to reserve a table (limited seating, so reserve early). Tickets are available on line at www.vtjazz.org or at In The Moment Record Shop at 143 Main St. Call for reservations or information at 802 254-9088. This concert venue is handicapped accessible.