![]() ![]() משכן תורה Information about the Upcoming Concert featuring Rusty Mason and the Augusta Swing Ensemble The Ways and Means Committee is delighted to announce that the Committee will end the year by presenting a spectacular concert of classic 1930's and 1940's swing music featuring the legendary musicians Rusty Mason and the Augusta Swing Ensemble at three o’cock in the afternoon of Sunday December 11, 2011. We all felt that we had to end the secular year with a flair, so what better way than with a concert/swing dance? As always, we like to feature the best, and this group is no exception! Rusty Mason, (husband of Mishkan Torah member Chana Mason) and the Augusta Swing Ensemble is sure to produce a sound reminiscent of the 30‘s and 40‘s, yet still fresh and original. This is a “blowing group,” meaning that the music is spontaneous and unwritten, but always first class. You will hear and dance to “straight ahead jazz,” the real jazz, music that is never played the same way twice, never scripted. Each member speaks the language of jazz and each is inherently aware of the subtle cues from one another, which direct the next phrase played. Each member is a consummate professional. Rusty began “playing out” in the 30’s at age 13, listening to and learning from the records of the day, from his music teachers in the public school, Robert Redd, who began as a trumpet player at age 12, took up the piano at age 23, yet one would swear On bass we have John Previti, who started his musical studies with the oboe while in grade school, later becoming smitten with the bass. You can hear him at many a venue in the tri-state area, as well as on numerous recordings with a variety of artists. John is a Our special guest will be John Jensen, a very talented trombone player who will round out the group. A skilled arranger, interpreter and recording artist, John has recently been the music director for the Washington production of Oklahoma. He has played at the Corcoran, the Kennedy Center, the White House and countless other venues with such greats as singers Joe Williams and Dianne Schurr, and instrumentalists Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Hinton, and Urbie Green. He is one of the gifted musicians to have been part of the Navy jazz ensemble, the Commodores. These four musicians teach at the Augusta Heritage Festival’s “Swing Week” in Elkins, West Virginia, which affords the attendees to experience them both individually and collectively. The interplay between them is truly magical. Come and hear and dance to the sound of this straight ahead jazz ensemble, a sound that is so much bigger than the sum of its parts. Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 at the door. If you can’t make it but want to be a part of the day, become a “Friend of the Ensemble” by making a donation. Even better, buy a ticket AND be a “Friend”. All the artists will have CDs that you can purchase at Intermission—just in time for holiday gifts. This is going to be a once in a lifetime occasion—not to be missed. We haven’t given you much time to think about it, so just go ahead and make your reservation right now. |