More on big bands ...

As I noted in my last blog, big bands are hard to sustain these days, but that doesn't mean you won't find some outside of your closest high school or college.
In fact, there are several bands trying to make a go of it in our neighborhood -- you can help by getting out and supporting local musicians.
The 17-piece Jazz Celebration Big Band, fronted by Paul Morris and featuring vocalist Claudia Perry (his wife), has been working hard on making big band music available for local fans. The band will be at Poco's Comedy Cabaret at 625 N. Main, Doylestown, at 8 p.m. May 28, where they're looking to prove area fans will support their music. The cover is low ($10), so make a note to show up.
John Nobile's Hunterdon County-based SummerSwing Orchestra can often be found playing in Somerville and Manville. The band has performed at The Rhythms of the Night nighclub in Manville several times this year -- and will be back June 28, and ie a regular at the Indigo Ballroom in Somerville -- catch the orchetsra there on May 23.
You can also enjoy the SummerSwing Orchestra June 5 in Somerville on the lawn of the historic courthouse.
Big bands are labors of love, requiring hours of practice and dedication by the musicians. There's some powerful medicine in the power and beauty a larger group of musicians can summon -- check it out and you'll see for yourself.