Dave Whitney Orchestra, with Christine Fawson

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Dave Whitney Orchestra

CD: Swingin’ at the WunderBar

An extension of Dave’s small bands, The Dave Whitney fourteen-piece orchestra was formed in 1989.  The focus of this band is playing and preserving the classic sounds of the big band era. They play yearly dates at Canobie Lake Park and Southgate at Shrewsbury and are currently doing semi-regular dates at Chianti’s in Beverly.

The orchestra is comfortable playing for the listener and is equally at ease playing for dancers.  Besides saluting the big name bands such as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Harry James, the Whitney Orchestra also plays the music of other fine bands such as Tony Pastor, Vaughn Monroe, Frankie Carle, Scat Davis and Red Nichols.

The Dave Whitney Orchestra  has entertained for numerous swing dance parties and has performed at Ryles, the Sherborn Inn, Rockingham Ballroom, Bridgwaye Inn, and bi-monthly at Angelica’s in Middleton, MA.  Future projects include a compact disc.

LINEUP
Leader,Trumpet/Cornet and Vocals – Dave Whitney
Vocals and Trumpet- Christine Fawson.
Trumpets- Joe Musumeci, Jeff Hughes, Rich Given.
Trombones- Scott Hills, Mike Strauss, John Kafalas.
Saxes- Art Bakopolus, Bob Drukman, Ted Casher, Blair Bettencourt and Kathleen Howland.
Piano- Steve Dale, Bass-Dave LeBleu, Drums-Reid Jorgensen.
Also appearing occasionally are John Clark,reeds, Dan Gabel,trombone and Roy D’Innocenzo, guitar, a charter member of Dave’s first band in 1971.

Christine singing

Christine Fawson

Dave on trumpet

Dave Whitney

Dave Whitney

Well known in New England for his work with the Yankee Rhythm Kings, White Heat Swing Orchestra, and Chris Powers Orchestra, Dave was influenced by Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Bobby Hackett and many other great trumpeters of the pre-bop era.  Dave has been called “Premier early style trumpeter” of this area” and “Dean of swing trumpet”.   As a vocalist he was influenced by Armstrong, Prima, Tony Pastor et al, and he is also adept at smoother vocals a la Sinatra, Eddy Howard, and Perry Como.

Christine Fawson 
As a vocalist and trumpet player, Christine Fawson has always loved performing classic jazz standards from the American Songbook.  She has been a member of Syncopation and The Jazz Diva’s, and the R&B band Beantown.  Christine has also been a solo artist at festivals and concerts around the world.  She is a member of the brass faculty at Berklee College of Music.

The first Dave Whitney Orchestra CD, “Swingin’ at the WunderBar” will be out shortly.
Contact: (978) 667-5524

VIDEOS:

Marie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=37&v=cAta1pKVUiM 

A Kiss to Build a Dream On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=25&v=6xDlH6ryP6M 

St. Louis Blues March
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=88&v=cVt-xl2R_Gg

Daddy, with Christine Fawson at Chianti’s 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvT5JjGy3hs