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Blue Moon
Big Band
:: "The
entertainment should be a reflection of your good taste... why
not shoot for the moon?" :: 410.756.2473
or 301.639.0770
:: E-mail |
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions
page. Choose from the following:
FAQ: To
learn more about Blue Moon Big Band, check out these Frequently
Asked Questions:
Q1: What is the Blue Moon Club and how do
I become a member?
A1: The Blue Moon Club offers discounts
on CD purchases and other benefits. Go
to the Club page for more information.
Q2: How many members are in Blue Moon Big
Band?
A2: The standard line-up comprises 13 horns,
a three-piece rhythm section, a featured (female) vocalist, and
the band leader. We can also add a second (male) vocalist if
requested.
Q3: How will I know if Blue Moon can physically fit
into our venue?
A3: You may be surprised how comfortably
a swing orchestra can fit onto seemingly small stages and performance
sites. If you're familiar with places such as the Peabody Library
in Baltimore, the Country Club of York (PA), or the Washington
Golf & Country Club in Arlington, VA, we've played there
and the setting works great! If you're still concerned with our
physical set-up, contact Rob Leonard at bandleader@bluemoonbigband.com
and he will arrange to meet with you at the proposed site and
go over the set-up with you before you make a decision!
Q4: How far will the band travel for an event?
A4: To date, we have played in Maryland,
Washington D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania,
and New York. But, that doesn't mean we won't travel farther.
Contact us and find out! Some of the more noteworthy venues at
which we have performed include:
 Annapolis Marriott Waterfront
(Annapolis, MD)
Antrim Inn (Taneytown, MD)
Arlington Country Club (Arlington,
VA)
Baltimore Convention Center (Baltimore,
MD)
Baltimore Garrett Museum (Baltimore,
MD)
Baltimore Hilton (Baltimore,
MD)
Baltimore Museum of Industry
(Baltimore, MD)
Baltimore Waterfront Marriott
(Baltimore, MD)
Bavarian Inn (Shepherdstown,
WV)
Boordy Vineyards (Glen Arm, MD)
Carroll Country Farm Museum (Westminster,
MD)
Carroll County Arts Council (Westminster,
MD)
Celebrations at the Bay (Pasadena,
MD)
Ceresville Mansion (Frederick,
MD)
Chevy Chase Country Club (Chevy
Chase, MD)
Corcoran Gallery of Art (Washington,
D.C.)
Country Club of York (York, PA)
DuPont Country Club (Wilmington,
DE)
Eichelberger Performing Arts
Center (Hanover, PA)
Evergreen Carriage House (Baltimore,
MD)
Felicita Resort (Harrisburg,
PA)
Gettysburg Hotel (Gettysburg,
PA)
Gray Rock Mansion (Baltimore,
MD)
Hagerstown Community College
(Hagerstown, MD)
Harbor Court Grand Ballroom (Baltimore,
MD)
Hillendale Country Club (Baltimore,
MD)
Hotel Monaco (Washington, D.C.)
Inner Harbor Renaissance Hotel
(Baltimore, MD)
Kent Manor Inn (Easton, MD)
Loew's Annapolis (Annapolis,
MD)
Marriott Pier 5 Hotel (Baltimore,
MD)
Maryland Club (Baltimore, MD)
Merriweather Post Pavilion (Columbia,
MD)
Meyerhoff Theater at the Baltimore
Museum of Art (Baltimore, MD)
Morningside Inn (Libertytown,
MD)
Mt. Vernon Inn (Alexandria, VA)
National Aquarium (Baltimore,
MD)
National Public Radio (Little
Rock, AR)
Naylor Wine Cellars (Stewartstown,
PA)
Oasis Winery (Hume, VA)
Oella Lions Club (Ellicott City,
MD)
Old Ebbits Grill (Washington,
D.C.)
Old South Country Club (Lothian,
MD)
Oregon Ridge (Hunt Valley, MD)
Oxon Hill Manor (Oxon Hill, MD)
Parkville American Legion (Parkville,
MD)
Pimlico Race Track (Baltimore,
MD)
Potomac Boat Club (Washington,
D.C.)
Radisson Lord Baltimore Grand
Ballroom (Baltimore, MD)
Ritz Carlton (Tysons Corner,
VA)
Rockfield Manor (Bel Air, MD)
Rolling Road Country Club (Catonsville,
MD)
Ronald Reagan International Trade
Center (Washington, D.C.)
Salisbury State University (Salisbury,
MD)
Sheraton Barcel Hotel (Annapolis,
MD)
Sheraton Inner Harbor (Baltimore,
MD)
St. Johns College of Annapolis
(Annapolis, MD)
Strong Mansion (Sugarloaf Mountain,
MD)
Swing 46 Jazz & Supper Club
(New York, NY)
Ten Oaks Ballroom (Clarksville,
MD)
The Arbor Ballroom (Washington,
D.C.)
The Belvedere (Baltimore, MD)
The Cloisters (Baltimore, MD)
The Engineers Club (Baltimore,
MD)
The Gramercy Mansion (Greenspring
Valley, MD)
The Pikesville Hilton (Pikesville,
MD)
The Union Club (New York, NY)
Visionary Arts Museum (Baltimore,
MD)
Washington County Fine Arts Museum
(Hagerstown, MD)
Washington Golf & Country
Club (Arlington, VA)
WMAR Studios (Baltimore, MD)
Q5: Do you play music other than Swing?
A5: We are a 1940s style Big Band. We prefer
to play swing music all night long, but we often receive requests
for special songs (particularly at wedding receptions and similar
events) that are not of the genre. If you have a special
request for a song that is not in our library, we will either
attempt to find an arrangement suitable to a big band or we will
make an effort to write the song ourselves! Either way, we want
you to be completely satisfied.
Q6: What is your small group, Li'l Bit of Blue, all
about?
A6: Li'l Bit of Blue is a jazz, blues,
and swing ensemble, comprising any combination of a 2-4 piece
rhythm section, saxophone, and vocals. Li'l
Bit of Blue can perform for an entire event or as a set-up
group for the full orchestra.
Q7: Where can I see the band perform?
A7: Many of our engagements are for private
affairs and corporate events. However, we try to keep as many
"open to the public" performances on the schedule as
possible. Keep tuned in to the site to see
us swing!
Q8: Can I buy recordings of Blue Moon Big Band?
A8: Yes! We have five recordings available
from Blue Moon Big Band (with our sixth CD planned for later
in 2008), and one solo album from vocalist Teresa Leonard. Our
2007 release, "The Polar Bear's Pajamas," has been reviewed by radio stations around
the country as our finest recording. The 2003 release, "Baby, it's Cold Outside:
A Swingin' Christmas Collection from Blue Moon Big Band and Friends," boasts 31 big band, jazz, and
blues tracks on two CDs or cassettes. The 2001 recording in the
Blue Moon collection is "Nice Work if You Can Get It,"
which packs in 20 swing, big band, jazz, and blues titles. Included
are songs from the libraries of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman,
Glen Gray and the Cosa Loma Orchestra, Hoagy Carmichael, Peggy
Lee, Bobby Darin, and others. Our 1999 CD, "Swingin' Live!" includes both '40s and '90s swing
and big band music, including cuts from artists such as Benny
Goodman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Natalie Cole, Brian Setzer,
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, and more! Our
1998 studio release, "Things Ain't What They Used to Be,"
contains 16 songs and an hour's worth of music. Teresa's 2004
solo release, "The Child in Me,"
comprises 18 songs including light jazz, standards, and lullabyes.
You can order CD's and cassettes right
here from the web site!
Q9: How much does it cost to hire
Blue Moon Big Band or Li'l Bit of Blue?
A9: It really depends upon how far we have
to travel and how many hours you want us to play at your event.
Keep in mind, though, that the music Blue Moon plays was written
for a big band, not for an 8- or 9-piece ensemble. Don't be fooled
by "half-sized" bands claiming to play big band music.
It's important to understand that if you want real swing music,
the full orchestra is the way to go. But, if you're looking for
jazz, blues, and light swing, the Li'l Bit of Blue quintet will
work perfectly for your event. Regardless of what you're looking
for, always ask for a recording or (better yet) to see a band
BEFORE you hire them.
Q10: What does it cost to be on Blue Moon's
mailing list?
A10: Absolutely nothing! Just sign up below
for safe and secure online registration.
Q11: Does Blue Moon have any apparel for
sale with their cool logo on it?
A11:
We have baseball caps and
shirts (polos, denims, and T's) available by special order, although
we don't keep a very large inventory of apparel items. Nonetheless,
you can order stuff right here from the
web site or just drop an email to bandleader@bluemoonbigband.com
to let us know what you're looking for, and in what sizes! Or,
call us at 410.756.2483 301.639.0770 and we'll get you set up
with Blue Moon gear right away.
Q12: Has the band appeared in any movies
or on any television / radio programs?
A12: The band was selected to appear in
the feature film, My One and Only, starring Renee Zellweger,
Kevin Bacon, and Chris Noth, which is scheduled to premier in
2009. Filming took place during the summer of 2008. With regard
to television and radio, we have been privileged to appear on
several of each over the years. In all, over 60 radio stations
across the U.S. have played the music of Blue Moon Big Band.
Radio programs have included:
National Public Radio's "Swingin'
Down the Lane" -- a 1-hour feature broadcast dedicated solely
to the music of Blue Moon Big Band -- aired during the week of
May 13, 2002 on over 40 stations across the U.S., including:
WRWA-Dothan / WHIL-Mobile / WTSU-Troy (Alabama); KBRW-Barrow
/ KHNS-Haines / KMXT-Kodiak / KUHB-St. Paul Island / KSTK-Wrangell
(Alaska); KASU-Jonesboro / KUAR-Little Rock (Arkansas); KUAZ-Tucson
/ KAWC-Yuma (Arizona); KAAT-Oakhurst (California); WUGA-Athens
/ WWGC-Carrollton (Georgia); KRIC-Rexburg (Idaho); WQUB-Quincy
(Illinois); KDTH-Dubuque (Iowa); KANZ-Garden City / KZNA-Hill
City (Kansas); WUKY-Lexington (Kentucky); KEDM-Monroe (Louisiana);
KMSK-Austin / KMSU-Mankato / KQAL-Winona (Minnesota); WZRU-Roanoke
Rapids (North Carolina); KSJE-Farmington / KMTH-Maljamar / KENW-Portales
(New Mexico) / WHPC-Garden City (New York); WMCO-New Concord
(Ohio); KCCU-Altus, Ardmore, & Lawton / KGOU-Norman / KROU-Oklahoma
City (Oklahoma); KMUN-Astoria (Oregon); WETS-Johnson City (Tennessee);
KACU-Abilene / KAMU-College Station / KBMH-Harlingen / KNCT-Killeen
/ KHID-McAllen / KOCV-Odessa / KTXK-Texarkana (Texas); WVLS-Monterey
(Virginia); KLSU-LaCrosse (Wisconsin)
Additional radio stations that have played our music include:
WBNR "Big Band Breakfast"
(Beacon, NY)
KEDM "Mostly Big Bands"
(Monroe, LA)
WDCB 90.9 FM Midwest Ballroom
(Chicago, IL)
WUKY 91.3 (Lexington, KY)
KAAM (Irving, TX)
WYPR "In the Mood"
(Baltimore, MD)
WWLG "Legends Radio"
(Baltimore, MD)
WTHU "The Sounds of Jazz"
(Thurmont, MD)
Feature Film and Television performances have included:
My One and Only - 2009 feature
film - (Baltimore, MD)
The Wake Up Baltimore Show -
in 1998 and 1999 - (Baltimore, MD)
The Rodrick's for Breakfast Show
(Baltimore, MD), where we served as the house band for a live
1940s style Christmas special filmed at the Baltimore Museum
of Art.
Q13: Who's the most famous performer Blue
Moon has ever worked with?
A13: In the summer of 2008, Blue Moon Big
Band was selected to appear in the feature film, My One and
Only, starring Renee Zellweger, Kevin Bacon, and Chris Noth.
We had the opportunity to work very closely
with Kevin Bacon in particular during filming for the 2009
release, as he played the part of the band's leader.
A close second is from our December 1998 appearance on the Baltimore-based
Rodricks for Breakfast show, where jazz legend Cyrus Chestnut
unexpectedly sat in on The Way You Look Tonight and it
was magic! And to top things off, the great Ethel Ennis appeared
on the same show.
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Where
in the World are Blue Moon Big Band's CDs and cassettes? |
We have customers in all 50 U.S.
states - yes, even Alaska and Hawaii - as well as the 11 international
territories below.
If you've purchased one of our recordings... thanks! |
Australia |
Canada |
Costa Rica |
France |
Germany |
Japan |
Mexico |
Puerto Rico |
Russia |
Spain |
U.K. |
More
to
come! |
Swing
Terms: Are you a red-hot
tomato or righteous hepcat who togs the bricks when cutting a rug? If so, then you might already know
these hip 1940s swing terms...
 Jitterbug
is used to describe both a style of dance and a person who likes
to swing.
Musicians
in swing bands are usually called cats,
but that word can be used to address any fellow who is cool and
knows the score.
A
chick is just as cool as a cat, only in the
female persuasion.
You
can address your male friends as Jack,
Gate or Pops.
Forget
the name of the cat you just met; call him Charley.
Forget
the name of the chick you just met; call her Sam.
A
beautiful girl can be described as a barbecue.
A
very stylish or classy girl is a barn burner, but her ugly girlfriend is a battle.
The
male equivalent of a battle is a Jeff.
Every
cat wants to date a ripe tomato,
a ring-ding woman who's got it going on.
When
you are looking good and solid in your threads, you are togged to the bricks.
A
smooth character who comes on to you is said to creep out like the shadow.
Someone
who is copacetic, cool or all right is righteous.
A
rug cutter is a twist or a very good, active dancer.
A
man or woman that you highly admire is a gasser.
An
unattractive battle or Jeff who is uncouth and square is a yard dog.
A
shifty character who is unreliable or impossible to respect is
a crumb or a fink.
The
opposite of a hip cat or a chick is someone who is icky.
A
person without talent is the original loser.
A
yokel who is out of date or square is off the cob.
Any
kind of failure in life is Bombsville,
baby.
Killer diller
is a great thrill.
Once
you learn how to swing, people will be calling you chicks a twirl or a twist.
And,
if you're a guy who understands this jive, then you are a hepcat. |
Got a question for Blue Moon Big
Band? If you have questions for Blue Moon
Big Band or Li'l Bit of Blue, just send an email to faq@bluemoonbigband.com
and we'll respond as soon as possible. Your question may become
part of our F.A.Q. page!
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