The Bandstand: August 2006

Our last post led with the news that a hip-hop group had given an impromptu performance atop a truck parked across lanes of the Hollywood Freeway. Several readers wrote in to express the opinion that a big band would never be that inconsiderate.

Probably true, though big bands aren't exactly strangers to putting their business in the street either:













When its bus broke down on a country road in Iowa, the Stan Kenton band marched into town. The three brass players behind leader Ray Wetzel are, from left, Milt Bernhart, Buddy Childers and Bart Varsalona.

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Congratulations to BBAA board member Marty Halperin for his appearance in the second installment of "Michael Feinstein's American Songbook," newly airing on PBS affiliates across the country. Episode 2 is titled "Best Band in the Land (1940s)." Marty is shown giving Feinstein a tour of his basement archive of WWII-era Armed Forces Radio Service vinyl transcriptions and V-Discs. Feinstein discusses the history of the AFRS and presents performance footage of Lena Horne, Bing Crosby and Judy Garland, among others.

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We received the following e-mail a few days ago:

I was wondering if your organization offered any merit-based scholarships to aspiring young musicians interested in big band music?

Please advise -

Thanks
Barbara Casey
mom of a Big Band Enthusiast!

While we can't offer scholarships -- and I wish we could -- individuals who might be interested are free to get in touch with Ms. Casey. Her e-mail address is barbara@caseylight.com. 

Of course, the Big Band Academy makes no representations or warranties with respect to Ms. Casey's request.