Big Band

Community members were jiving, grooving and shaking Wednesday night at the "Dance Under the Stars" event of the Verdugo Swing Society. The free event gave residents an opportunity to dance to the swing and big band music of the organization outdoors at Verdugo Park, 1621 Canada Blvd. The evening was part of a series of dancing events being hosted by the Verdugo Swing Society on Wednesdays over the summer. The group will also be at Verdugo Park on July 17, 24 and 31 and Aug. 7 and 14 for more music, dancing and socializing under the stars.

Lolita Harper GLENDALE -- Joe Graydon, best known for his contribution to pop music during the Big Band era, died Saturday at his home in Glendale. He was 82. Graydon took the place of Frank Sinatra as the leading male singer of the radio show, "Your Hit Parade" in 1940. That move was the springboard to many other gigs, including the launching of the Joe Graydon Orchestra. The musician was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He worked his way through law school at Catholic University by singing in Washington night clubs.

Tania Chatila It was a bittersweet night for city leaders and "Dance Under the Stars" followers -- a night of goodbyes. Not only did Wednesday mark the last in a series of the Verdugo Swing Society's weekly summer performances at Verdugo Park, but it also marked the retirement of the band's leader, Jim Colegrove. After 20 years of service, Colegrove, considered the backbone of the band, made his final exit -- and traveled Thursday to Knoxville, Tenn.

Marshall Allen MONTROSE -- Big-band music has been in Val Grayson's blood his whole life, but now the 88-year-old La Canada Flintridge resident might need to slow down. Grayson and his 12-piece orchestra is a mainstay at local events. He has recently become ill with a lung condition that is causing him to reevaluate his performance schedule. "I was a go, go, go '88er' until the last two months," Grayson said. "I ran into some health problems and it's changed my whole life."

Paul Andersen, Enjoy! BURBANK -- Since he was 3, Horace Heidt Jr. has known what he wanted to do when he grew up. After joining his father, a big band leader, at work one day, he knew he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. Now, 30 years after taking over the family business, he still loves what he is doing. "Each job is different," he said, "and it is never boring." His next job is on the Fourth of July at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank, where he will lead the Horace Heidt Jr. Orchestra in a program of big band and patriotic songs, spinning out musical fireworks before the actual skyrockets are launched.

The Towne Singers, La Cañada's internationally-acclaimed theatrical chorus, founded by Phyllis Winnaman of La Cañada, celebrated its 19th birthday last week with balloons and treats during its regular weekly rehearsal which encompasses 108 singers from many communities besides La Cañada - all the way from Burbank, Glendale, all the Foothill cities, Pasadena and communities in the San Gabriel Valley. "I've got a 19-year-old daughter, and there are a lot of similarities," said Michael Shaughnessy, Towne Singers' president.

For those that weren't at the "Copacabana" at 4004 La Crescenta Ave. on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 27, the opportunity was lost to meet Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz (Gloria Beyer and Lynn Slotky, both of La Cañada) among many other fun personalities who attended the "big band" dinner dance hosted by the La Crescenta Woman's Club. Other characters spotted enjoying the evening were Rosie the Riveter, an American soldier from WWII, several "dapper" gents and glamour girls of the 1940s and even a couple of mobsters decked out in pin-stripe suits and carrying (plastic)

Local girl selected for pageant Mackinsey Woolever of La Crescenta was recently selected to participate in Nationals’ 2009 Miss Teen Pasadena pageant competition that will take place on Feb. 22. Mackinsey learned of her acceptance on Monday afternoon. Mackinsey will be competing in the Miss Teen division, one of four divisions, for her share of thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts. The winner of the title of Miss Teen Pasadena will represent Pasadena and the surrounding communities at the Cites Of America National Competition that will take place in Orlando, Fl. Over $60,000 in prizes and awards will be presented at the national competition.

Joyce Rudolph, Weekend Award-winning violinist Linda Wang is a featured performer for the new 2000-2001 season offered by the Glendale Community Concerts Assn. One of six performances scheduled, Wang will appear on Nov. 5. Wang, a first-prize winner of the International Markneukirchen Competition in Germany, has appeared at the world's most celebrated concert venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Berlin Schauspielhaus. Her solo debut was with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta at age 9. This year's Community Concerts season kicks off Sept.

Find some fascinating rhythms as Maestro Victor Vener and the California Philharmonic present "Dance Fever" to close the 10th anniversary season of "Cal Phil Festival on the Green" on Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia. Presented by Sunset magazine, the Cal Phil Festival on the Green outdoor concert series has drawn thousands of music lovers each year to the Arboretum for its lively music and laid-back style. Avid music lovers and their families convene each summer in the Arboretum's garden atmosphere for an array of music performed by one of the region's most acclaimed ensembles.

“Hoboken to Hollywood: A Journey Through the Great American Songbook,” has been playing to sold-out crowds and critical acclaim for several months at the Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica. That trip from Hoboken to Hollywood required a few stops in Glendale, however, to achieve its success. “H to H” puts theater-goers in the audience at a taping of a Frank Sinatra network television special in the 1960s. The show is a mix of comedy and music. Luca Ellis plays Sinatra and carries the show with his impersonation.

On the hottest day so far this year, hundreds of people sought relief and refrains from a 17-piece jazz band, when the city of Glendale kicked off its summer concert series Wednesday night at Verdugo Park. It was the first act of "2010 Movies, Music, and More," with free entertainment for the entire family. As the band offered its renditions of "Fly Me to the Moon," "American Patrol," "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and other gems from the big-band era, audience members picked their favorite spots under big leafy trees, or under building awnings, to feast on yummy picnic items they had brought from home, as well as to escape the heat.

Local girl selected for pageant Mackinsey Woolever of La Crescenta was recently selected to participate in Nationals’ 2009 Miss Teen Pasadena pageant competition that will take place on Feb. 22. Mackinsey learned of her acceptance on Monday afternoon. Mackinsey will be competing in the Miss Teen division, one of four divisions, for her share of thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts. The winner of the title of Miss Teen Pasadena will represent Pasadena and the surrounding communities at the Cites Of America National Competition that will take place in Orlando, Fl. Over $60,000 in prizes and awards will be presented at the national competition.

S tan Kenton big band lovers were out in force at the Brand Library & Art Center's free special event on Saturday. The Recital Hall was standing room only as some 85 patrons listened to Kenton biographer Steven D. Harris present "The Artistry of Stan Kenton" in lecture, music and films. Kenton led his bands from the 1940s through the '70s. Glendale fans included Barbara and Bernard Schnipper , Vic Kalaba , Richard Sowby , Glen Roberts and wife Naomi Parry . Also out for an afternoon at the Brand Library were Hyunah and Jimmy Cho and daughter Liz Cho , 15 months old. Child psychologist Dr. Glen Roberts, founder of the Glen Roberts Child Study Center in Glendale, had fond memories of playing string bass in the Stan Kenton band for a month in 1953.

Glen Roberts performed big band music during its heyday in the 1940s and fondly remembers getting the chance to play with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. "I traveled for a month with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and it was a dream come true," the Burbank resident said. "He was my hero in high school and college." They played all the great clubs of the time, most notably the Blue Note, one of the top clubs in Chicago, he said. Roberts has continued to play his string bass over the years while building a career in child psychology.

For those that weren't at the "Copacabana" at 4004 La Crescenta Ave. on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 27, the opportunity was lost to meet Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz (Gloria Beyer and Lynn Slotky, both of La Cañada) among many other fun personalities who attended the "big band" dinner dance hosted by the La Crescenta Woman's Club. Other characters spotted enjoying the evening were Rosie the Riveter, an American soldier from WWII, several "dapper" gents and glamour girls of the 1940s and even a couple of mobsters decked out in pin-stripe suits and carrying (plastic)

The La Crescenta Woman's Club invites the community to take a "Sentimental Journey" back to the '40s and the Big Band era on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at their clubhouse at 4004 La Crescenta Ave. in La Crescenta. The evening includes entertainment by the Crescenta High School Jazz band and a dinner menu reflective of the era. A dance and costume contest will add to the evening's entertainment. Reservations are required. The cost is $15/single or $25 for two. The evening is suitable for all ages.

One look inside Donald Hyink's home makes it clear that he is a man who holds onto things. "Now, it's messy but it's clean," Hyink, 81, of Glendale said. He opened his door to reveal a front room full of paperweights and stereo photo slides. "This is my runaround," Hyink said, opening his garage door to reveal a small, red Mitsubishi. "But this is my classic." A cream-colored, 1966 Chevy II Nova Super Sport Hyink has owned for 40 years sits in his garage as the largest of his collectors items.

Find some fascinating rhythms as Maestro Victor Vener and the California Philharmonic present "Dance Fever" to close the 10th anniversary season of "Cal Phil Festival on the Green" on Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia. Presented by Sunset magazine, the Cal Phil Festival on the Green outdoor concert series has drawn thousands of music lovers each year to the Arboretum for its lively music and laid-back style. Avid music lovers and their families convene each summer in the Arboretum's garden atmosphere for an array of music performed by one of the region's most acclaimed ensembles.

The Towne Singers, La Cañada's internationally-acclaimed theatrical chorus, founded by Phyllis Winnaman of La Cañada, celebrated its 19th birthday last week with balloons and treats during its regular weekly rehearsal which encompasses 108 singers from many communities besides La Cañada - all the way from Burbank, Glendale, all the Foothill cities, Pasadena and communities in the San Gabriel Valley. "I've got a 19-year-old daughter, and there are a lot of similarities," said Michael Shaughnessy, Towne Singers' president.