March 26, 2015
1424
It's a "Long Way to Tipperary" but it's not far to Blyth for "Songs of Wartime and Peace" with the Blyth Festival Singers and their special guests, The Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band of Kincardine.
Join the singers, April 12 at 3 p.m., for a tribute concert commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Performed on the stage of Blyth Memorial Hall, "Songs of Wartime and Peace" will feature nostalgic wartime melodies, such as "White Cliffs of Dover," "We'll Meet Again" and the "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy".
The repertoire includes songs from both world wars as well as post-war and contemporary music inspiring hope and peace in a better world.
The Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band was formed in 2002 and plays a mixture of traditional Jazz styles. Its mission is to preserve vintage jazz standards and to perform them to a new audience. What a perfect fit for a concert on the wartime era when jazz and swing were in their heyday!
The Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band of Kincardine includes, back, Dave Jewett (L), Mike Kelley, Steve Hasbury; and front, Dave Schmalz (L), Karen Weber and Ron Daniels; photo courtesy of the Blyth Festival Singers
Based in the Kincardine area, this six-piece group has performed at many music festivals and celebrations, performed in concert for members of the London Jazz Society, and performed at the City of Burlington summer music series and in Jazz by the Bay in the Blue Mountains.
The frontline is made up of Dave Jewett on trumpet and flugelhorn, Steve Hasbury on clarinet and saxes, and Dave Schmalz on trombone. Rhythm comes from Ron Daniels on guitar, Karen Weber on bass and Mike Kelley on drums. Schmalz and Weber look after vocals.
The Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band got its unusual name when Weber's yellow lab, Jake, insisted on howling along with every tune in the key of B flat!
The Blyth Festival Singers is a county-wide community choir under the professional direction of Sharon Poelstra with Lori Millian as accompanist. The choir averages between 40-50 voices, performs primarily in Huron County and has endeavoured to present a high standard of choral singing since its inception in 1980.
"Songs of Wartime and Peace," a concert for all ages, will be performed Sunday, April 12, at Blyth Memorial Hall, 423 Queen Street, Blyth, at 3 p.m. The singers would like to extend a particular welcome to seniors and Legion members. Tickets for the concert are only $6 each for children (ages six to 12), and $15 each for adults; available from any Blyth Festival Singer or from the Blyth Festival Box Office at 523-9300. Or purchase on-line at www.blythfestival.com. There may even be a few at the door!
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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