ANDERSON — Thank Harry Connick Jr.
Or Michael Buble.
And sure, go on and thank Tony Bennett for the resurgence of Big Band jazz that has filtered its way into central Indiana.
Those popular crooners have revived a stylized, smooth sound that is still attracting audiences all the more for the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, one of approximately 35 community-based jazz orchestras in the nation.
The 15-member Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra will bring a “best of” concert to the Paramount Theatre, 1124 Meridian Plaza, on Nov. 13.
The 7:30 p.m. performance is part of “The Sounds of Indiana” series that includes an April 16 performance by the Hopkins and Miller Band and a May 14 show by Anderson’s Mechem Family.
But for November, the Hoosier sounds will focus on Big Band music including Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton and Count Basie. The show also features vocalists Rick Vale, of Anderson, and Lydia McAdams.
Vale has been performing with the orchestra since 2001. He also serves as the light-hearted emcee, said Jeff Anderson, musical director of the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra and executive director of the Jazz Arts Society of Indiana.
“I think there’s been a renewed interest in what we call the Great American Songbook, which starts with Irving Berlin in the 1920s ... and ends with Henry Mancini and Burt Bacharach,” Anderson said. “Those are kind of the bookends of the Great American Songbook. I think the best music ever written, period, was written during that time.”
The orchestra formed 12 years ago and became a nonprofit organization in 2001. Last year, the band played 43 concerts, a sign of the sound’s popularity, said Anderson.
Younger crowds are also being drawn to big bands due to popularity in swing dance. The orchestra routinely plays at Fountain Square in Indianapolis.
Anderson said, “It doesn’t matter how long the music has been around; if it’s good, it will last.”
If you go ...
Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra
Sponsored by Primrose Retirement Communities and Paramount Theatre Centre
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13
Where: Paramount Theatre Centre, 1124 Meridian Plaza, Anderson
Admission: $17.50. Tickets available through the Paramount box office Tuesday through Thursday, noon until 5 p.m., online at www.andersonparamount.org or by calling (765) 642-1234.
Community
Big Band sound from Indy to play at Paramount
- Community
-
-
In Review: Clown prince spreads God's message of hope
God’s faith in humanity is sometimes demonstrated in ways we humans think are foolish.
-
Jim Bailey: Winter of our discontent depends on our agenda
There’s nothing like a mild winter to bring out the members of our society whose agenda includes the propagation of the fear of global warming.
-
Community Briefs: Feb. 15
A compilation of community news as published in the Wednesday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Love remains after all these years
In a culture where a $10 million wedding results in a 10-week marriage, the idea of a lifelong commitment may seem like a storybook fantasy. Until you meet Bob and Imogene James.
-
Community Briefs: Feb. 14
A compilation of community news as published in the Tuesday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Retirement party Feb. 18 for Dr. William Anderson
A retirement party for William Stafford Anderson, M.D., will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Community Hospital, Anderson, Conference Rooms 6 and 7.
-
Local Facebook user organizes online rummage sale group
Accustomed to participating in a neighborhood rummage sale, Lori Baker Penticuff stockpiled all her gently used items that were no longer needed.
-
Community Briefs: Feb. 13
A compilation of community news as published in the Monday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Back in the News: Feb. 12
The Herald Bulletin looks back at stories from the Anderson Daily Bulletin and The Anderson Herald newspapers.
-
Renner anniversary
Gretna A. (Thomas) and G. Neal Renner recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a family dinner party at a local establishment.
- More Community Headlines
-
