JT Lynch photo
The joint was jumping on
Saturday night at for the Springfield Armory Reunion and commemoration of the 1943 Benny Goodman concert that was held
on the Armory grounds. The war workers got a special treat that day in 1943,
and so did the visitors to the Springfield Armory National Historic site when
Dan Gabel and the Abletones recreated a 1940s Big Band concert.
It was fantastic.
Though inclement weather drove the concert indoors
this year (it’s usually an outdoor celebration), and while unfortunately, band
leader Dan Gabel was not in attendance, the show was a delightful success.
The orchestra delivered a variety of peppy
ditties, slow romantic ballads, and jubilant jazzy hits of the golden age of
the big band era that moved some to dance, some to sing, and all to marvel at
the excellence of this tight group of musicians.
Their vocalist (in the old days it was “girl
singer”) is Elise Roth, who looked the part in a period gown, rhinestone
necklace and bracelet, bold lipstick, and her hair coiffed appropriately. More
than illusion, the most exciting and charming aspect of her performance is that
she sang in the style of the 1940s
big band songstresses. This is an
attention to detail that is worth noting and marveling over; for this is not
mere mimicry, but a demonstration of educated interpretation of a music genre
that is intricate and complicated. Ms. Roth
has her roots not only as a jazz vocalist, but also as a classical vocalist,
who studied at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Dan Gabel, whose knowledge and appreciation of big
band music is something wonderful, has gathered into this 18-piece orchestra colleagues,
friends, and former students like a pied piper (he plays the trombone himself),
and he clearly picks only the best. Craig Robbins, recent magna cum laude
graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, plays jazz trombone and also
sang two numbers, the lovely ballad, “The Way You Look Tonight,” and the
swinging, “The Lady is a Tramp.” Jim
Gancarz, drummer, belted out the beautiful, “Berkeley Square” (“boy singers”),
and did a mean Gene Krupa imitation throughout on the drums.
These three singers are young, as, indeed are most
of this orchestra, and if the first surprise is seeing young people so
gloriously talented, so knowledgeable, and so comfortable performing this music
which has ceased to hit the popular music charts a couple of generations ago—the
second surprise is suddenly realizing their age doesn’t matter. It’s the music that matters, and they drew a
standing ovation from the crowd last Saturday for their truly thrilling
musicianship.
JT Lynch photo
John Clark on bari sax and clarinet took on the
role of leader and emcee in Dan Gabel’s absence, and he provided humor, and a
pleasant ease of guiding the audience, as much as the musicians, from one song
to the next.
I was especially looking forward to this event
because I’ve followed Dan Gabel and his bands (he also helms the High Society
Orchestra which plays music of the 1920s), and always hoped to have an opportunity
to catch one of their gigs—which play mostly in the eastern part of the
state. Having him come out to western
Massachusetts and the Springfield Armory National Historic Site was a joy, and
I was determined not to miss it. I’ll
remember it for a long time to come.
