Boogie Woogie JUMP!

 

The name of the Arvada Chorale presentation today was Boogie Woogie JUMP with the Queen City Jazz Band as special guests. Marla Wasson is the Music Director and she has fun conducting the singers. Her body language is one of a fun loving person! The singing and the music made everyone, well, almost everyone, want to get up and dance. Familiar classics, as well as some not so well known, filled the auditorium with lively music. Combining the Chorale and the band we heard, That's A Plenty, Sweet Georgia Brown, Sleepy Time Down South and Sing Sinners. The vocals by a jolly, happy, and full of rhythm, Wende Harston had everyone clapping in tune to the music.

The Queen City Jazz Band

The Chorale had a duet sung by a husband and wife of  I Only Have Eyes For You. The group then sang Embraceable You, They Can't Take That Away from Me and Duke's Place. When This Joint is Jumpin' came on to entertain us, it was explained to us about a Renter's Party. "Have you ever heard of a renter's party?" we were asked. Evidently, when the rent could not be paid, a party would be arranged and the whole neighborhood would show up. Since many of the neighbors were musicians they would play, money would be collected and that is how the rent would get paid. 

Many other tunes were played and sung by the Chorale. Sitting a few seats in front of me, a lady could not contain herself.  In time to the music she moved her head, shoulders, clapped hands, bounced in her seat and waved her arms as she listened to the many tunes. I found out that her father
owned a music store, she loves jazzy music, she would be ninety years old this year, and she lives at the Meridian in Arvada. She was a peppy and fun lady and anyone who saw her could tell she loved music!

The Queen City Jazz band began its career at the Mon-Vue in Denver and some of the audience members had attended the jazz parties there and many knew where it was located. Sadly, I had never heard of the place. They will celebrate their 60th Anniversary in 2018.

Toward the end of the program, some of the Chorale members came down and danced in the aisles. I even got a chance to do a few steps with a Chorale member!