Big band buzz at the Bellrock hall

Nov 29, 2012

Photo: members of the La Salle Causeway Big Band entertained listeners at the Bellrock hall on November 18.

If you are like me, there is nothing like the sound of an accomplished, swinging big band to pull equally hard on both heart and foot strings. And there are many others in the Bellrock and surrounding area who seem to be as enamored with the velvet, buttery sounds that only a well-rehearsed old-fashioned swing band can produce. The La Salle Causeway Big Band, a 14-member band under the direction of Brooke Wobodich, is one such band and they brought their rich and vibrant repertoire to listeners at the Bellrock Community Hall, who gathered for a special concert/hall fundraiser there on November 18 that had numerous couples swaying on an impromptu dance floor.

The band, which was formed in September 2010 by Hannes Friedli of Verona and the band’s PR man David Lysne, has five saxophones, three trombones, two trumpets, clarinet, plus keyboard, bass and drums. Their repertoire spans the big band hits from the 1930s, 40s and 50s with a number of modern classic rock tunes like their boppy version of Zoot Suit Riot thrown into the mix to keep modern listeners’ ears perked up. The band is as comfortable playing the big swing band classics as they are tackling Latin sambas and bossa novas, as they did with Jobim’s unforgettable classic “The Girl from Ipanema” and in their upbeat version of “Hot Cha Cha Cha”. They covered tunes like the ever- popular “New York, New York”, as well as the Glenn Miller classic “Moonlight Serenade”, which featured an accomplished solo by Brooke Wobodich. They demonstrated their comfort with the blues in a flavorful and swinging version of the classic “Route 66”.

Saturday’s concert was extra special for the band since it was the first time they invited a soloist to sing with them. Connie Shibley, who is well known and appreciated throughout the local musical community, sang a fabulous version of the Lerner and Loews “Almost Like Being in Love”, from Camelot.

Friedli said, “It's great to be able to have someone like Connie up singing with us since a lot of the arrangements that we play are specifically designed to accompany a soloist and we love having the opportunity to play in that kind of format.”

Many of the band’s experienced players play in other local bands such as the Vimy Band from CFB Kingston and the Frontenac Community Band. Hannes says that La Salle Causeway plays for the love of the music rather than for money and often plays for free at area seniors’ homes and fundraising events.

Their impeccable sound can be accounted for by their weekly rehearsal schedule and their determination to keep their sound as non-electronic as possible.

The band will be taking a break during the holiday season but will resume their rehearsing schedule in the new year. Upcoming will their first ever demo CD, which the band is hoping to record in April or May of next year. Hannes also said that the band plans to make itself available to play at private functions and parties in the new year. Anyone interested in hiring out a top-notch accomplished swing band can call Hannes Friedli at 613-374-5254.