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BALTIMORE, MD - November
10, 2002 - Maryland-based
Blue Moon Big Band, a 19-piece swing orchestra that specializes
in the timeless music of the American swing era, proudly reports
its successful New York City debut on Saturday, November 2, 2002.
The headline peformance at the Swing 46 Jazz and Supper Club
(www.swing46.com) marked the band's first appearance in New York,
and reportedly garnered the largest audience in club history.
A spokesperson for Swing 46 commented that the band drew an uprecedented
crowd to the club, with many would-be patrons turned away at
the door as the club reached capacity early in the evening.
Bill Wells, who was in the audience
for the November 2 Blue Moon Big Band performance, said, "I've
been around long enough to have seen many of the original big
bands in their hay day. Blue Moon gave a spectacular performance
and appealed to every generation of its audience. With the band's
energy and the crowd's excitement, you would have thought that
Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman were in the house!"
Another club guest, Kathleen
Hutzell, commented, "The band never let up. With three one-hour
sets, you might expect most bands to take it easy once in a while.
Blue Moon just gave 110 percent all night long, and the audience
loved it. There was a definite connection between the band and
the audeince."
After opening the evening with its signature rendition of "Blue
Moon," the band moved directly to Glenn Miller's "American
Patrol." The performance included songs by Duke Ellington,
Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Tommy Dorsey, and many others. One
of the highlights of the show came when the band closed out the
first set with a ten minute Benny Goodman tribute which featured
clarinetist Andrew Mitroff and drummer Marty Knepp on "Swingtime
in the Rockies" and "Sing Sing Sing."
Rob Leonard, bandleader and
founder of Blue Moon Big Band, said, "This was a night to
remember! The band put in an extremely long day, leaving Baltimore
early Saturday afternoon and not returning until after six o'clock
Sunday morning, but it was worth it. When a venue is still packed
at two in the morning and calling for multiple encores, you know
that band had a great performance."
Swing 46 has reportedly indicated it will invite the band back
for future engagements.
About Blue Moon Big Band
Formed in May 1998, Blue Moon Big Band is a Maryland-based 19-piece
swing orchestra specializing in the timeless music of the American
swing era. Performing for audiences throughout the Mid-Atlantic
region, Blue Moon Big Band has entertained at large functions
for as many as 3,000 and at more intimate settings for as few
as several dozen listeners and dancers. The band has also performed
at both live and recorded television and radio events, and its
music has been played on over 60 radio stations across the U.S.
Presently, Blue Moon Big Band's CDs have been sold in 49 U.S.
states and 9 international territories. Blue Moon Big Band has
worked with some of the area's top dance instructors, including
the reigning American Lindy Hop Champions, and can arrange lessons
before the event. The full orchestra, as well as its smaller
partner ensemble Li'l Bit of Blue, is available for wedding receptions,
corporate and private parties, dances, concerts, and other special
events, and can provide anything from jump and jive for clubs
or festivals to big band dance music for an elegant party or
reception. For pricing and availability information, contact
bandleader Rob Leonard at 410.756.2473 or 301.639.0770. For additional
information, visit the Blue Moon Big Band website: www.bluemoonbigband.com. |
