New swing band seeks members

GREELEY, PA — A newly formed band, the Moonlight on the Poconos Big Swing Band, has begun rehearsing weekly on Tuesday evenings at The Historic Greeley Inn. The band needs both more regular members and backup and substitute members.

Traditionally, big bands of the swing era consisted of 17 instrumentalists in four sections: five saxophones (two alto, two tenor, and one baritone sax), four trumpets, four trombones, and four in the rhythm section (bass, drums, guitar, and piano/keyboards). Sometimes the “basic-17” was supplemented with other instruments such as Latin drums, tuba etc. Era swing bands also typically staged several vocalists, male and female.

The band was organized on January 1 for the purpose of preserving and propagating the sound, ambience and grandeur of the big band “swing” era of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. It also pursues excellence in other musical styles such as blues, Latin and traditional and modern jazz. Its objective is to support various worthy causes in the greater Northeast Pennsylvania area by performing for benefit fundraisers, seniors centers and the like, and anyone who shares the band members’ love of big band swing music.

For more information email hank@grilk.net or call 570/390-4215.