The first Thursday of June, 2011 found the Dayton Jazz Orchestra (DJO) at Harrigan's South again, holding forth in another rendition of their big band magic. Missing the last two months, this visit was particularly satisfying AND they outdid themselves. What a great night!
Participants were Josh Adkins (ts), Grant Kohler (ts), Rick Johnson (soprano sax, etc.), Jeff Spurlock (as) & Brad Morgan (bari-sax) - a word about Brad, Brad is a big guy with a big sound and when I spoke with him he told me he had studied under Bill Burns at Centerville and was now studying under Hal Melia - all I can say is wow! If he is meeting their standards, no wonder he has such a big sound. Bill Burns did come in for the second set as he had a previous engagement which precluded his participation in the first set but that did give us a chance to hear Brad Morgan. Thanks Bill.
Tom Billings played trombone as did Vaugn Weister (who has his own Big Band that plays in Columbus every Monday night), Todd Couch and Denny Seifert. And speaking of big bass sounds, Denny Seifert plays bass trombone with the best. Al Parr was on trumpet as was John Harner (John was formerly lead trumpet for the Stan Kenton Band), Bill Dixon and Jay Halpin (of the U.S. Air Force Big Band Jazz contingent, The Night Hawks) - by the way, The Night Hawks will be playing at the Jazz and Peace Festival at Stubbs Park this Summer on July 9th - come on down and enjoy the music. Rounding out the band with the rhythm section was one of my favorite drummers, Jim Leslie, with Vinnie Marshall on the mini-electric bass (Vinnie on the skinny as I like to say) and Jeff Black on piano. The music was excellent and the food and drink was enjoyable too. If you like Big Band music, Harrigan's South (just around the corner from the intersection of OH 725 & Lyons Road in Centerville) on the first Thursday of each month is the place to be.
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