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 Fawson
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
The Amazing Things Arts Center is the best place to listen, and really hear a great band and two master trumpeters; marvelous acoustics. It just doesn’t get any better than this!
Dave Whitney All Stars with Christine Fawson, in a Tribute to Louis Armstrong at the Sherborn Inn with Dave Whitney trumpet/vocals, Christine Fawson trumpet/vocals, Ted Casher reeds, Dan Gabel trombone, Reid Jorgensen drums, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Dale piano, Jon Wheatley guitar
Louis Armstrong had many “All Star” groups in his lifetime, but Dave Whitney concentrated on tunes that began in the early to late 20’s. Dave’s All-Stars were marvelous right from the Sleepy Time Down South kick-off; Jon Wheatley’s guitar in Back Home in Indiana,Royal Garden Blues that Louis played from 1947 into the 1960’s. Front line enjoy playing together. Music affects emotions; this music makes people happy.
Dave & Ted complain Bucket’s Got a Hole In It videos by Harold McAleer
Ted Casher
Ted actually played with Armstrong, when he was at Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts. Reed players Joe Darensbourg was off playing Ski Ball at the arcade when the band was ready to start. Louis looked around and said “Hey, wanna play?” Ted joined him on stage. Later in the band room, they found that Joe had won a Kewpie Doll.
To brighten the evening, Christine Fawson was introduced on trumpet and vocal. Dave and Christine make beautiful music together, the kind that brightens your day, whether they’re playing trumpet or singing.
Canal St. Blues, Christine is Louis, and Dave is Joe “King” Oliver.
Dave and Christine complement each other
Dave and Christine vocal – You’re Just In Love
Stomping at The Savoy, Reid Jorgensen made use of every instrument on the drums.
I Love You Samantha, Dave vocal with Justin Meyer and Jon Wheatley
Louis did a German Folk Song called The Faithful Hussar. It originated in Dusseldorf. Marvelous guitar by Jon, and string bass solo by Justin. This is Louis’s version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_j1LWUSwgQ
Dan Gabel really gets into Satchmo/New Orleans mood with St. James Infirmary Blues
Love is Just Around The Corner – a salute to bass players, with rhythm section.
Justin Meyer in tribute to bass players
Jon was featured on George Van Epps’ Tango El Bongo, Reid drumming with his hands.
Swing That Music was WILD!
In his Big Band of the 30’s, Louis played The Saints. Dave did the vocal, naming each member of the band, with Christine harmonizing on trumpet.
They closed with Sleepy Time Down South, fantastic trumpet solo, backed by rhythm section.
The whole evening was delectable! Everyone left with happy hearts and smiling faces.
Tune List:
Short intro Sleepy Time Down South
Back Home Again in Indiana
My Bucket’s Got a Hole In It
Royal Garden Blues
Kiss to Build a Dream On
Sweet Georgia Brown
Margie
Big Butter and Egg Man
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
Can’t Take That Away From Me
Stomping at The Savoy
Samantha
The Faithful Hussar
Canal St. Blues
Love is Just Around The Corner
Bourbon St. Parade
Tango el Bongo
Swing That Music
You’re Just in Love
Wonderful World
Saints
Sleepy Time Down South
Dave Whitney Quintet with special guest Christine Fawson
The Amazing Things Arts Center is the best place to listen, and really hear, two master trumpeters; marvelous acoustics. It just doesn’t get any better than this, Christine Fawson and Dave Whitney, twining around each other on trumpet or vocals – they have synergy, supported by the fine rhythm section of Jon Wheatly guitar, Mark Carlsen bass, and Reid Jorgenson drums. Dave and Christine never sounded better! What a great way to spend a rainy afternoon!
New England’s Dean of Trumpeters, Dave started first, backed by the rhythm section, on a Rose Room, circa forties’ era Jazz and Swing tune. He focused on Louis Armstrong, singing an early 1932 Louis’ That’s My Home. Down In Honky Tonk Town Louis recorded in 1940.
Jon Wheatley on acoustic guitar
Louisiana featured Jon with special vamps on ‘agnostic’ guitar.
Besides being a Talented soloist, Jon is a great team player laying down beautiful chords and keeping solid time.
He has a great capacity of repertoire, being comfortable in everything from Dixieland to modern jazz. He has listened to many great guitarists: Eddie Lang, George Barnes, Barney Kessell and Herb Ellis to name a few but has his own personal style.
Christine lets it all out
Dave introduced the talented Christine Fawson singing an upbeat Irving Berlin tune on this dreary, rainy day, Blue Skies.
Christine added some of Ella’s inventive scat-singing on Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me, with Dave behind her on muted trumpet. Their passion for this music is infectious.
Reid Jorgensen’s plays soft drum with his hands
Charlie Chaplin’s favorite, Smile is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times. Chaplin composed the music; he would have loved Christine’s vocal, backed by Reid playing softly with just his hands, on the drums.
This is Christine’s theme song – Don’t Fence Me In. She likes Cole Porter’s lyrics and chord changes “They don’t write like this today.” Celestial trumpets played sweet harmonious sounds, Dave taking the melody first, Christine counterpoint.
Dave and Christine in sync on trumpet
We all know Tangerine from Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass Whipped Cream album; fabulous, with Reid’s drum tapping on snare drum.
Mark Carlsen
Mark has a history of playing with the new Tommy Dorsey Band led by Buddy Morrow. He is also a great team player, laying down beautiful chords and keeping solid time. He’s an excellent soloist, but prefers to take only one or two choruses on a tune, instead giving the group great bass lines and working flawlessly with Jon and Reid.
Here he is backing Dave’s vocal on Irving Berlin’s Marie.
Christine was back with a smokin’ Avalon – from her CD. Glorious trumpet duet, with Chris and Dave taking turns singing.
Christine took a break. Dave returned with the rhythm section. He latched on to Putting All My Eggs In One Basket from Cape Cod’s cornetist Ruby Braff. I Can’t Get Started, from Mister Trumpet – 1937 Bunny Berigan, the tune that put him on the map. Dense interplay between trumpet and guitar.
Dave and Reid have been together for many years, in Dave’s Big Band and small combos. Reid’s brushwork is weighty, but particulate – he listens. He was featured on a good ol’ good one, Found a New Baby.
Reid Jorgenson
Jon Wheatley, solo, on Slow Burning
Jon’s flowing finger work and sounds were featured on his solo of George M Smith’s Slow Burning.
Dave called Christine back. Reid’s drumming softly complemented Christine’s soulful scatting on I Could Write A Book.
She put heart and soul on In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning, revealing her own singular, personal style. Video by Harold McAleer.
Louis did this one with Velma Middleton, You’re Just In Love. Dave and Chris played trumpets in harmonic syncopation, then sang totally different choruses from the tune – at the same time.
Christine teaches at the Berklee College of Music and also sings with the vocal jazz group, Syncopation. She said she’s learned so much from watching and listening to Dave play. Obviously.
They closed with the Trad Jazz “National Anthem”, The Saints. It was a warm, friendly afternoon of fine Jazz and Swing; it was a real pleasure being here and listening to these virtuoso musicians!
We never know when they will get together again, but you can bet it will be on the www.nejazz.com calendar!
