Hernando Jazz Society launches 20th season
During the 1930s and 1940s, jazz and swing dominated the radio waves. Frequently called the “big-band era,” this was when the music of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glen Miller reigned supreme.
Lorri Hafer, vocalist, sings “Nice Work If You Can Get It” with the Hernando Jazz All Stars Band at a performance at the Wellington Seven Hills Club House on Sept. 14. SUE QUIGLEY
Spring Hill has its own group of jazz musicians and supporters, some of whom have played in professional bands for many years. Their goal is to promote, preserve and perpetuate live jazz in the county and on Sept. 14, the Hernando Jazz Society held its first concert and dance of the season with a program of music called “Big Band Bash at the Wellington.”
Held at the Wellington at Seven Hills Clubhouse, off Mariner Boulevard in Spring Hill, about 100 guests, members and nonmembers, enjoyed a nostalgic afternoon listening and dancing to live sounds from the big-band era performed by the Hernando Jazz All Stars.
The Hernando Jazz All Stars musicians include Mike Hafer, piano; Paul Hafer, bass; Steve Koch, drums; Nelson Dellamaggiore, alto saxophone and music director; Lou Mauro, tenor saxophone and scholarship chairman; Tom Damato, trumpet; Jay Leaman, trombone; and Barry Titone Sr., saxophone. Vocalists include Eddie Lawrence, Lorri Hafer and Kim Evans.
The ensemble kicked off the afternoon with “Broadway Blues” followed by “Mood Indigo” and vocalist Eddie Lawrence sang “Almost Like Being In Love.” Other classics included “How High the Moon” sang by Lorri Hafer, “Route 66” and “Watermelon Man”
“This is the club’s 20th season,” said Eddie Lawrence, who has been the Hernando Jazz Society’s president for 12 years.
Lawrence said the club was established in 1994 by a group of retired professional musicians who wanted to preserve the legacy of jazz in Hernando County. Today, the group has about 130 dues-paying members, plus a host of loyal jazz enthusiasts who regularly attend the club’s monthly performances.
Husband and wife, Roger and Violet Langieri, of Brooksville, are regulars at the club’s Sunday events.
“This is one of the last venues where we can come to enjoy live jazz,” said Roger Langieri.
“Not only is the audience for jazz shrinking, but it’s growing older — fast,” he said. “I worry about who will carry on this wonderful genre of music from the 30s, 40s and 50s into the future.”
The club’s jazz performances are part of a continuing series of monthly events to raise funds for scholarships for local middle and high school musicians. Much of that effort goes toward supporting music education and each year, the Hernando Jazz Society aims to award at least three $500 scholarships as part of its ongoing scholarship program.
“Our mission is to get young people to start listening and playing jazz again and we work hard to develop bonds with promising young musicians in the county,” said Lawrence.
Charlene Johnston of the Brooksville Music Club was at the session to present a $530 check, the first donation of the season, to the scholarship fund on behalf of the Brooksville Music Club. Johnston said she hopes the donation will help a recipient pursue his or her music education.
“Musicians of all ages and skills are encouraged to join us and to participate in jams,” said Bill McLoughlin, the society’s public relations officer. “We welcome new members and anyone who enjoys jazz to come to our next performance on Oct. 12.”
The Hernando Jazz Society meets every second Sunday, from September to May, at 2 p.m. at The Wellington Seven Hills Club House, 400 Wexford Blvd., Spring Hill.
The Hernando Jazz Society performs on the second Sunday of each month from September to May at the Wellington Seven Hills Club House, 400 Wexford Blvd. Spring Hill. Food is provided for purchase by Sioux City Grill.
Admission is free for members, $10 for single nonmembers and $15 for couples. Season tickets are available at $50 per person. For information, call Eddie Lawrence at (352) 683-7254, Bill McLoughlin at (352) 799-9690, or visit hernandojazzsociety.org.
Email Hernando Today correspondent Sue Quigley at [email protected].
If you go
What: The Hernando Jazz Society’s next performance will be “Mostly Broadway”
When: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12
Where: The Wellington Seven Hills Club House, 400 Wexford Blvd., Spring Hill.
Tickets: Call Bill McLoughlin at (352) 799-9690 for tickets or for more information.
