[Dixielandjazz] Dixieland In Middle Schools

[Steve Barbone]

Nice to see that in some schools, Dixieland/Swing is the thing.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone


>From the Orlando Sentinel (FL)

MOUNT DORA -- People looking for another way to celebrate Mother's Day can
consider taking mom to a free concert by the L.C. Swing Band.

If Sunday's 3 p.m. big-band concert, featuring the Eustis Middle School jazz
band and a Dixieland group, sounds like the ticket, plan on arriving at the
Mount Dora Community Building early. "We had a full house last year," said
Larry Lutte, director of the L.C. Swing Band.

Before the big band gets into the swing, the audience will warm up with the
23-member, award-winning Eustis Middle School Mustang Jazz Band, which just
returned from the invitational Dixie Classic Music Festival in Virginia
Beach, Va., where the band earned a superior rating.

"This is a real honor for us to play with such great musicians," band
director Gerry Ricke said. "The kids look forward to not only playing with
them, but also to listening to them." Ricke said his band will play Otis
Redding's "Respect," Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll" and George Gershwin's "'S
Wonderful."

Next on the program is the Dixieland group, made up of members of the L.C.
Swing Band, led by Billy Barnes. They will perform "That's a Plenty" and
"Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue."

When the 18-piece big band hits the stage, the musicians will play
arrangements made famous by bands from the past of such favorites as
"Stompin' at the Savoy," "Don't Be That Way" and "The Way You Look Tonight."
Also featured will be vocalists Ali Dickson and Harlous Wilson.
During the concert, the band will present a $1,000 scholarship to
Christopher Burgess, a senior at South Lake High School who plans to study
music at Florida State University.

The L.C. Swing Band performs a variety of jazz and swing music at dances,
benefits and concerts from August to May.

The Mount Dora Community Building, 520 N. Baker St., is next to City Hall.
For more information, call Lutte at 352-728-8414.