Thursday 16 May 2013

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra

On Sunday May 15th (Mother's Day) the Sr. Jazz was invited to open for the season finalĂ© of the renowned Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra featuring Ken Poplowski - the King of Swing.  Sr. Jazz was really excited and a little nervous about performing at this prestigious gig.  That said the band came rarin' to play an brought with them some of their own dynamic energy.

Their first set included the infamous Ray Charles hit - Let the Good Times Roll and was followed by Benny goodman's arrangement of the Louis Prima Classic - Sing, Sing, Sing.  By the time the band was done its last note the audience leapt to its feet in ovation.  As one audience member remarked, "Iv'e been listening to that song since I was 5 and you guys sounded just like the original."  A pretty big compliment, as the "the original" that he was referring to was recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1938 by the Benny Goodman Big Band.

The Band's second set include a reggae/ swing arrangement of Bobby McFerrin's hit - Don't Worry, Be Happy and one of the biggest hits for the funk band Tower of Power - What is Hip?  These two tunes were also well received and the band was lauded for their exemplary performance.


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