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MORE ABOUT THE ALBUM The 20 track selections were chosen to offer a rich and diverse sampling of the band’s large repertoire. Chosen from the band’s regular performance library, the selections are a complementary blend of “standards†that offer a wide variety in the listening experience – swinging instrumentals, gorgeous ballads, great vocals and instrumental solos. It’s primarily music from the Big Band Era, punctuated by todays’ re-creations of some arrangements that were originally performed by Count Basie, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, and others. The album spotlights the many fine soloists who make up this band. In addition to the five vocals by Ginger Berglund, and two by the leader, there are four trumpet soloists, three trombone soloists, four saxophone soloists, and intermittent solos by each of the five rhythm players. All the solos are integrated within complementary ensmble settings. The album booklet identifies the soloist(s) on each selection and provides color photos and bios of the band. The album was recorded in one six-hour day at Cal State Long Beach. (“Unbelieveable!†said the weary brass players. “Next time let’s make it three days!) ABOUT THE TRACY WELLS BIG SWING BAND One of the busiest big bands in Southern California, the Tracy Wells Big Swing Band has developed an enthusiastic following of fans from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Summer concerts in parks and malls, corporate events and winter holiday celebrations augment the routine bookings of the band for hotels, clubs, and private parties. In addition to the extensive programming variety that includes big band literature of today, the repertoire features exciting re-creations of the Big Band Era's "Great Moments in Swing" as performed by 24 of that Era’s best bands. The instrumental configuration is the familiar mix of five saxophone/woodwinds, four trumpets, four trombones, piano, bass, drums, and guitar, plus the leader’s vibraphone. The band's roster is filled with impressive resumes and some national reputations: Tracy Wells - leader and Long Beach resident, is a transplanted Midwesterner from Quincy, Illinois. In earlier years he led big bands at the U.S. Naval Academy and at the University of Missouri. Later in Southern California he was featured with the Johnny Ricardo Latin band, free-lanced with jazz groups, vocal groups, and led other bands. Tracy is a trumpeter, vibraphonist, vocalist and arranger. Ginger Berglund - Contributing her excellent voice to the band's variety in programming and complementing the band's swinging styles with her polished performances of ballads, swing, and jazz - even in foreign languages! - Ginger reflects her extensive experience in theater, opera, other bands and jazz groups. RHYTHM SECTION Gerry Schroeder, Piano - Pianist-conductor for Luci Arnaz, Joey Bishop, Vic Damone, Four Freshmen, Shirley Jones, Leslie Uggams, Peggy Lee, and more. Pianist with Jack Sheldon, Charlie Ventura, Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin, Long Beach Municipal Band Frank DeVito, Drums - Long stints with Terry Gibbs and Tex Beneke. Frank Sinatra recordings. Frank has performed with many of the top bands and is always in demand, a fixture at the "Sweet & Hot" Music Festival Doug MacDonald, Guitar - Performed with George Shearing, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, Buddy Rich, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, recording artist, bandleader Ernie Nunez, Bass - Performed with George Shearing, Tex Beneke, Toni Tennile, Henry Mancini, Peter Marshall, show orchestras and studios SAXOPHONE-REED SECTION Kim Richmond - composer, arranger, leader of his own 22-piece recording jazz orchestra, concert soloist, Grammy award nominee and former member the Stan Kenton, Les Brown, Louis Bellson, Billy May orchestras, Kim leads the saxophone section Charlie Orena - Ray Anthony, Buddy Childers orchestras, Mel Torme, Maureen McGovern, major film, soundtrack albums, Budweiser commercials Bob Efford. - the "hot tenor man" with the great British band of Ted Heath, Bob has also performed with Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Bill Holman, Ray Anthony and more, outstanding skills for all woodwinds Bill Jurney - Billy May, Jerry Gray, Vaughn Monroe orchestras. Ringling Bros. Circus Band, studios, shows, recordings, Southern California free-lance Fred Peters - Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Civic Light Opera, Ringling Bros. Circus Band, recording studios, music educator. TRUMPET SECTION Darrel Gardner - lead trumpet, also an arranger and conductor, has been a stalwart with the Les Brown band for years, and has worked with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and others Pat Mullen - Americus Brass Band, Pacific Brass ensemble, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, LA Jazz workshop, Disneyland Band, movie soundtracks, recordings, shows Steve Stassi - Modernaires show, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra/Bill Tole, Al Martino, Frankie Lane, Temptations, cruise ships Dan Bryan - Bill Berry's LA Big Band, Cap Pierce Juggernaut, Ray Anthony, Les Brown orchestras. TROMBONE SECTION Charlie Morillas - Artie Shaw, Jack Sheldon, Tom Kubis, John LaBarbara orchestras, Gordon Goodwin's "Big Phat Band." Recorded/performed Paul Anka, Barry Manilow, Ray Charles Dave Ryan - Glenn Miller and Harry James orchestras, Disneyland Band, recordings, theater, TV studio orchestras Jerry Wheeler - Americus Brass Band, Long Beach Brassworks, Pacific Brass Ensemble, cruise ships, shows Rich Bullock - Anchoring the brass section on bass trombone, Rich has performed with Harry James, Al Hirt, Don Ellis, Bill Watrous bands. Show and symphony orchestras. Vocalist with the "FourStar Voices." Check out the artist's website: http://tracywellsband.com Track List: 1. Moten Swing 2. I Love Being Here With You 3. Teach Me Tonight 4. All of Me 5. I'm in the Mood for Love 6. I'll Close My Eyes 7. At Long Last Love 8. One O'clock Jump 9. I've Never Been in Love Before 10. Boogie Blues 11. That Same Old Feeling 12. 720 in the Books 13. Stars Fell on Alabama 14. What a Difference a Day Made 15. Rose Room/In a Mellow tone 16. Opus One 17. Moon Ray 18. Laura 19. Flying Home 20. Adios Other Genres:
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