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We all hit the Jackpot with these two fine musicians, Dan Gabel and Amanda Carr, determined to maintain our kind of music, with Dan Gabel's Abletones at the Ecotarium on June 15th. They opened the Ecotarium's Live at Sunset (formerly Jazz at Sunset) to an overflowing, exuberant crowd. Dan brought an All-star cast, playing great numbers that really enlivened us. Some younger folks never heard them before, but caught the fever and couldn't, wouldn't sit still. It was magical, and Dan wrapped it up in one word: "Alakazam"!
It was a
beautiful sunny day. The Ecotarium was nicely set up with tables and
chairs that were quickly swept up and reserved in advance. Others brought lawn chairs and blankets
that covered the lawn
all the way up to the hill's planetarium. Some brought picnic
baskets, there was a beer and wine bar, and again Eric's Patisserie
provided delectable hot and barbecued fare.
Bei Mir Bist Du Schon, John Clark clarinet, with Amanda Carr singing the Martha Tilton arrangement. They dedicated the next arrangement to servicemen overseas who are not home with their families, Dan Gabel and the Abletones’ Salute to the Armed Forces, playing all five service hymns as vets stood up to applause when their hymn was played. The Army Goes Rolling Along, Anchors Away, The Marine's Hymn, usually played in a hard, fighting tempo, was done here in an unusually soft, slow version, almost a ballad. Beautiful! The U.S. Coast Guard Anthem, Semper Paratus (Always Ready), The Air Force's Into The Wild Blue Yonder, Gancarz ended the series with a long, fitting drum roll.
Johnny Mercer’s Moon River – nice waltz,
brought more dancers out on the
Science Center's cement floor.
Mack The Knife, by special request – Dan said “people riot if they don’t hear this”. Dick Poccia on bari sax. Craig Robbins on trombone, Bruce Diehl lead alto, John Clark alto, Mike Caudill tenor and Bill Doyle guitar (who can also play banjo). The Finale was a Billy Ray original, a rare tune -
793 – Dan renamed
it Ecotarium Swing – and it did swing! Jim Gancarz's drum took the intro into a scorching Sing Sing Sing. John Clark's spontaneous clarinet solo set sparks flying, ending in a dramatic drawn-out interplay with the drums, and finally a Benny Goodman blistering high clarinet finish that left the crowd howling!
It was an incredibly exciting ending to the Ecotarium’s first Live at Sunset for 2012. And there are more for the next five Fridays. * * * Dan Gabel studied at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, triple-majoring in Political Science, Legal Studies, and Jazz History. Dan recently completed a year-long world tour with the GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA! Dan sometimes uses "Bud" Trow's tuba, which recently was given to Dan. It is a very old Orsi model from Milan, probably from around 1915. "It may be old, it may not look the best, but I'm sure proud to play Bud's tuba. It gets a great big sound, perfect for the 1920's arrangements. Whenever I play it, I will remember fondly my friend Bud," says Dan. We remember Bud's Tuxedo Classic Jazz Band, and know that he's up there smiling!For the full Dan Gabels schedule see www.theabletones.com * * * Amanda will be the voice of CBS on July 4th. She and Dan are part of ABBPS, the American Big Band Preservation Society, which was created as a non profit corporation August 24, 2009. It is now a Section 501 c 3 corporation under the IRS. www.americanbigband.org. Dan went to California to accept the donation of Henry Busse's complete library including charts, entire photo collection, even mutes. He is now CEO and President of ABBPS and is looking for a place to keep it. The ABBPS plans to share the charts with schools to keep the music playing. Dan's High Society Orchestra will be playing FREE at the BANDSTAND in WEST BOYLSTOn, not the Willows, on July 1st. BE THERE! You'll love it! Sunday, September 23, 2-4pm Dan Gabel and The Abletones, featuring Amanda Carr, will be recording their 2nd album, "Homesick for New England" at a massive dance/concert at Mechanics Hall, 321 Main Street, Worcester. MA. Tickets now on sale by calling the box office (508) 752-0888 or visit www.MechanicsHall.org. Presented by The American Big Band Preservation Society.
WICN 90.5 NPR Radio Worcester (www.wicn.org)
and the Ecotarium colaborate in the Live at Sunset Series
http://www.wicn.org/live-concerts/live-sunset-concert-series .
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