GRCC Winter Jazz Night Benefit Concert

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>> AND WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED, FOLKS!
NOW, WE'RE GONNA FEATURE THE VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE, SHADES OF BLUE,
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF STEVE BARTON,
WITH ASSISTANCE FROM DR. CONNELL.
SO, GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE, SHADES OF BLUE!
(applause)
>> MIC CHECK ONE. >> CHECKING MIC TWO.
>> CHECK THREE. >> CHECK FOUR.
>> CHECK MIC FIVE. >> CHECK MIC NUMBER SIX.
>> CHECK SEVEN.
(piano playing)
(piano stopping)
(scattered laughing)
>> ONE... TWO... (snapping)
(jazz piano playing)
>> (singing) AT THE END OF THE DAY
WHEN MY LOVE TAKES THE WORLD AWAY
HE HOLDS ME CLOSE
AND WARMS ME LIKE THE SUN
(jazz piano playing)
AT THE END OF THE DAY
IN THE SILENCE I SLIP AWAY
AND DREAM AS THOUGH
THE NIGHT HAD NEVER COME
MORNING SONGS WITH SLEEPY EYES
APRIL RAINS
AND CLEAR NOVEMBER SKIES
MY SWEET SURPRISE
THE GENTLE CALM OF AFTERNOON
A LOVER'S WARMTH BENEATH THE MOON
SO BRIGHT SO BRIGHT
A QUIET NIGHT
AT THE END OF THE DAY
WHEN MY LOVE CARRIES ME AWAY
HE HOLDS ME CLOSE
AND WARMS ME LIKE THE SUN
DO-DO-DO DO-DO-DO-DO-DO
DO-DO-DO DO-DO-DO
DO-DO-DO-DOOO
(piano continues playing)
MORNING SONGS WITH SLEEPY EYES
APRIL RAINS
AND CLEAR NOVEMBER SKIES
THAT SWEET SURPRISE
THE GENTLE CALM OF AFTERNOON
A LOVER'S WARMTH BENEATH THE MOON
SO BRIGHT SO BRIGHT
A QUIET NIGHT
AT THE END OF THE DAY
AT THE END OF THE DAY
WHEN MY LOVE
CARRIES ME
AWAY
I CLOSE MY EYES
AND FLY INTO THE DAWN
I CLOSE MY EYES
AND FLY
INTO THE DAWN
(applause)
>> THANK YOU.
(jazz piano playing)
>> (singing) I'M OLD-FASHIONED
I LOVE THE MOONLIGHT
I LOVE
THE OLD-FASHIONED THINGS
THAT SOUND OF RAIN
UPON MY WINDOW PANE
THAT STARRY SONG
THAT APRIL SINGS
'CAUSE THIS YEAR'S FANCIES
ARE PASSING FANCIES
BUT SIGHING SIGHS HOLDING HANDS
THESE MY HEART UNDERSTAND
OH I'M OLD-FASHIONED
BUT I DON'T MIND IT
THAT'S HOW I'D LIKE TO BE
AS LONG AS YOU AGREE
TO STAY OLD-FASHIONED WITH ME
(jazz piano playing)
'CAUSE THIS YEAR'S FANCIES
ARE PASSING FANCIES
BUT SIGHING SIGHS AND HOLDING HANDS
THESE MY HEART UNDERSTAND
I'M OLD-FASHIONED BUT I DON'T MIND IT
THAT'S HOW I'D LIKE TO BE
AS LONG AS YOU AGREE
TO STAY OLD-FASHIONED
WITH ME
(applause)
>> (all singing acapella) WHEN THE WIND BLOWS
THE CRADLE WILL DROP
CRADLE WILL DROP
WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS BREAKS
THE CRADLE WILL FALL
AND DOWN
WILL COME BABY
CRADLE
AND ALL
(snapping) ROCK-A-BYE BABY
ON THE TREE TOP
WHEN THE WIND BLOWS
THE CRADLE WILL ROCK
WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS
THE CRADLE WILL FALL
AND DOWN WILL COME BABY
CRADLE AND ALL
ROCK-A-BYE WITH BABY ROCK-A-BYE BABY
ROCK-A-BYE WITH BABY ROCK-A-BYE BABY
ROCK-A-BYE BABY
ON THE TREE TOP
WHEN THE WIND BLOWS
THE CRADLE WILL ROCK
WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS
THE CRADLE WILL FALL
AND DOWN WILL COME BABY
CRADLE
CRADLE AND ALL
CRADLE AND ALL
BABY
(applause)
(jazz piano playing) (snapping)
>> (singing) DO I WANT YOU
OH MY DO I HONEY
INDEED I DO
DO I NEED YOU
OH MY DO I HONEY
INDEED I DO
I'M GLAD THAT I'M THE ONE WHO FOUND YOU
THAT'S WHY I'M ALWAYS HANGING 'ROUND YOU
WHOA
DO I LOVE YOU
OH MY DO I HONEY
INDEED I DO
(jazz piano playing)
DO I WANT YOU
OH MY DO I HONEY
INDEED I DO
DO I NEED YOU
OH MY DO I HONEY
INDEED I DO
I'M GLAD THAT I'M THE ONE WHO FOUND YOU
THAT'S WHY I'M ALWAYS HANGING 'ROUND YOU
DO-DO-DO-DOO DO I LOVE YOU
OH MY DO I HONEY
I SAID HONEY
I SAID HONEY
INDEED I DO
(applause)
(snapping)
(jazz music playing)
>> (singing) BEFORE MY HEART SAW YOU
TODAY WAS JUST ANOTHER DAY
THAT THE LONELY INTERLUDE JUST CAME
BLEW AWAY YOU KNOW GUY
EVERYTHING WAS "COME WHAT MAY" UNTIL YOU FELL IN MY LIFE
THE SPELL THAT I'M UNDER HAS LOST ME
I'M IN A MAZE
WITH LIGHTNING AND THUNDER SETS MY WHOLE HEART ABLAZE
YOU KNOW GUY YOU THRILL ME
HALF KILL ME
THAT'S WHAT YOU DO
AI NO CORRIDA THAT'S WHERE I AM
YOU SEND ME THERE YOUR DREAM IS MY COMMAND
AI NO CORRIDA I FIND MYSELF
NO OTHER THOUGHT JUST YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
(jazz music playing)
I HOLD YOU I TOUCH YOU
IN A MAZE I FIND MY WAY
I THINK YOU I DRINK YOU
BEING SERVED YOU ON A TRAY
YOU SEE GUY
IT'S WHAT I GO THROUGH EVERY DAY IS THIS
THE WAY THAT YOU FEEL
PINCH ME I'M DREAMIN'
BUT IF IT IS DON'T LET ME KNOW
I'M DROWNING DON'T SAVE ME
IT'S JUST THE WAY I'D LIKE TO GO
YOU SEE GUY YOU THRILL ME
HALF KILL ME
THAT'S WHAT YOU DO
AI NO CORRIDA THAT'S WHERE I AM
YOU SEND ME THERE
YOUR DREAM IS MY COMMAND
AI NO CORRIDA I FIND MYSELF
NO OTHER THOUGHT
JUST YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
AI NO CORRIDA THAT'S WHERE I AM
YOU SEND ME THERE
YOUR DREAM IS MY COMMAND
AI NO CORRIDA I FIND MYSELF
NO OTHER THOUGHT
JUST YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
AI NO CORRIDA THAT'S WHERE I AM
YOU SEND ME THERE
YOUR DREAM IS MY COMMAND
AI NO CORRIDA I FIND MYSELF
NO OTHER THOUGHT
JUST YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
(jazz piano playing)
AI NO CORRIDA THAT'S WHERE I AM
YOU SEND ME THERE
YOUR DREAM IS MY COMMAND
AI NO CORRIDA I FIND MYSELF
NO OTHER THOUGHT
JUST YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
AI NO CORRIDA THAT'S WHERE I AM
YOU SEND ME THERE
YOUR DREAM IS MY COMMAND
AI NO CORRIDA I FIND MYSELF
NO OTHER THOUGHT
JUST YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
YOU AND NOTHING ELSE
(applause)
>> I'VE BEEN ASKED TO USE A CORDED MIC BECAUSE THE CORDLESS MIC
WASN'T BEING PICKED UP BY OUR T.V. FEED, SO I HOPE THIS IS WORKING NOW.
LET'S HEAR IT AGAIN FOR SHADES OF BLUE!
STEVE BARTON AND ROBIN CONNELL!
(applause) YEAH, THEY DID A WONDERFUL JOB.
NICE JOB.
NOW, BEFORE I RE-INTRODUCE MIKE GILLAN AND THE JAZZ ENSEMBLE,
I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT IN YOUR PROGRAM THIS EVENING
YOU'LL NOTICE THAT AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT SECOND--
THAT FIRST PAGE, IT SAYS THERE'S AN INTERMISSION AND RECEPTION,
AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS THIS
BECAUSE YOU'LL JUST GO OUT THROUGH THOSE DOORS RIGHT THERE
AND INTO THE PRESIDENT'S ROOM,
WHERE WE HAVE A WONDERFUL "CUPCAKE WAR" GOING ON.
AND YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE SOME WONDERFUL CUPCAKES,
SOME WONDERFUL BEVERAGES,
AND YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT SOME OF--
SOME PICTURES OF RAY WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG MAN.
AND I HAVE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU...
UM, I READ HIS OBITUARY.
I DIDN'T KNOW RAY VERY WELL.
WE ONLY MET MAYBE ONCE, MAYBE TWICE.
BUT IN HIS OBITUARY, I READ THAT HE GRADUATED
FROM LORRAINE HIGH SCHOOL.
I GRADUATED FROM LORRAINE HIGH SCHOOL...
ABOUT 40 YEARS AFTER HE DID.
BUT WE BOTH WENT TO THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL.
WE BOTH HAD THE SAME BAND DIRECTOR, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT.
UM, SO, THERE'S THAT INTERESTING, WONDERFUL CONNECTION,
AND I'M SO GLAD THAT I FOUND THAT OUT.
ANYWAY, WE DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS THE RECEPTION.
AND THEN, AFTER THE RECEPTION, WE'LL COME RIGHT BACK IN,
WE'LL FEATURE THE RAY GILL ALL-STARS, AND WE'LL HAVE SOME GREAT MUSIC, TOO.
SO, NOW, PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR MIKE GILLAN AND THE JAZZ ENSEMBLE!
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>> (inaudible speaking)...
--SONS, KEITH GILL AND MARK BUDDY.
COULD YOU GIVE 'EM A HAND?
AND COME ON UP, GUYS.
(applause)
AND WHILE THEY'RE COMING UP,
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT RAY'S WIFE, HELEN, IS HERE AS WELL.
HELEN GILL IS HERE-- SHE'S RIGHT DOWN HERE.
WAVE AT US, HELEN.
(applause)
THANKS FOR COMING OUT.
YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THIS BUT SHE JUST GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.
SHE'S HAD A LITTLE BOUT WITH BRONCHITIS, BUT SHE'S FEELING A LOT BETTER,
AND I KNOW SHE'S FEELING BETTER NOW, BEING HERE TO HEAR ALL THIS MUSIC.
GUYS, HERE YOU GO.
>> HELLO, GOOD EVENING.
I'M KEITH GILL AND I WANNA THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE
AND HELPING US CELEBRATE MY DAD'S LIFE IN MUSIC.
MUSIC WAS EVERYTHING TO HIM.
OF COURSE, HIS FAMILY AS WELL. (laughing)
HE LOVED MUSIC.
HE HAD A PASSION FOR MUSIC,
AND EVERYTHING, I THINK, THAT I TOOK FROM MY DAD
HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH MUSIC.
IT WASN'T NECESSARILY MUSIC, IN PARTICULAR.
IT WAS A WORK ETHIC
INVOLVED IN PRACTICING ALL THE TIME AND KEEPING SHARP,
THE DEDICATION TO THE JOB, THE PASSION FOR WHAT HE WAS DOING.
AND, UM... AND...
AND SO, I TOOK THOSE THINGS WITH ME, AND I STILL HAVE 'EM WITH ME TODAY.
AND I REALLY, OVER THE PAST SIX--
FIVE, SIX MONTHS HERE SINCE HE PASSED, TRYING TO, YOU KNOW,
PUT IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE AND THINK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.
IT'S BEEN KINDA TOUGH, AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY,
COMING TO THIS CONCERT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.
AND NOT ONLY SPRING AND IT'S WARM OUT AND SO ON,
BUT HEARING THE MUSIC HERE PERFORMED BY THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BAND--
WHAT A WONDERFUL GROUP.
THEY SOUNDED GREAT, AND I'M JUST GLAD TO KNOW
THAT THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION AND PASSION IS ONGOING.
UM...
WHEN I WAS A SMALL KID, I WAS-- WELL, I SHOULDN'T SAY SMALL KID--
I WAS IN 7th, 8th GRADE OR SO,
I WAS COMING TO CLASSES WITH MY DAD.
MY MOM WAS EITHER WORKING AT NIGHT OR IN SCHOOL LEARNING TO BE A NURSE.
AND SO, I'D COME WITH HIM, AS HE TAUGHT A NIGHT CLASS,
AND HANG OUT WITH THE CLASS...
AND I GOT TO SEE MY DAD IN ACTION.
AND I THOUGHT, "OH, MAN,
"HOW DOES HE KNOW ALL OF THAT THAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT?"
I NEVER SAW HIM AT HOME PREPARING THE LESSON OR THE LECTURE
OR WHATEVER HE WAS GONNA SAY IN THE HUMANITIES COURSE
THAT HE WAS TEACHING
OR THE MUSIC APPRECIATION COURSE AND SO ON.
UM, AND SO, IT WAS REALLY COOL HANGING OUT WITH DAD
AND WATCHING HIM WORK.
UM, AND I ENJOYED IT TO THE POINT THAT I STARTED ASKING HIM,
"CAN I COME ALONG?"
OR, "ARE WE GOING-- AM I GOING WITH YOU TONIGHT?"
AND I STARTED PARTICIPATING IN THE CLASS A LITTLE BIT.
I'D RAISE MY HAND HERE AND THERE, OR I'D BRING MY CLARINET
AND I'D SIT IN ON THE BEGINNING WOODWINDS CLASS AND SO ON.
SO, IT WAS REALLY NEAT.
AND SO, I REALLY GREW TO RESPECT MY DAD IN A WHOLE LOT OF WAYS
OTHER THAN JUST BEING A GREAT DAD.
AND I'LL NEVER FORGET ONE TIME, WALKING DOWN OTTAWA AVENUE,
I WAS WITH HIM-- I THINK IT WAS ON A SATURDAY--
AND WE'RE WALKING DOWN THE STREET.
HE WAS RUNNING INTO PEOPLE THAT HE KNEW--
A LAWYER HERE, A JUDGE THERE, SOMEBODY I DIDN'T KNOW,
SOME THAT WE KNEW FROM CHURCH--
AND EVERY CONV-- WE'D STOP,
AND EVERY CONVERSATION WE HAD WAS REALLY...
FULL OF MEANING, AND JUST BLEW MY MIND.
I'M LIKE, "MAN, THESE PEOPLE ARE SMART!" (audience laughing)
AND I'LL NEVER FORGET TALKING TO MY DAD, YOU KNOW, AFTERWARDS, SAYING,
"DAD... MAN, EVERYBODY YOU TALKED TO IS SO SMART."
"WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OF YOU OLD MAN?" (all laughing)
AND YOU KNOW, SO, AS A YOUNG KID BEING AROUND THAT, I JUST REALLY--
I JUST WAS REALLY-- I KNEW THAT THERE WERE EXPECTATIONS
AND A LOT WAS EXPECTED,
AND I KNEW I HAD TO BE SERIOUS AT WHATEVER I WAS GONNA DO.
AND I DIDN'T DECIDE TO CONTINUE ON WITH MUSIC,
BUT I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT I DO-- I WORK FOR MUSEUMS.
AND MY DAD ALWAYS VOLUNTEERED TO COME DOWN
AND HELP ME WITH WHATEVER PROJECT I WAS GONNA DO.
HE WOULD DO THAT OCCASIONALLY.
SO...
AND I GUESS JUST ANOTHER STORY, IF I CAN TELL QUICKLY.
HE WAS VERY PROUD OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
THAT STARTED UP AT 'JC
WHEN HE WAS HERE, WHEN WE CALLED IT 'JC,
AND HE WAS ABLE TO BRING IN SOME VERY TOP-NOTCH MUSICIANS.
AND ONE TIME, COUNT BASIE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A CONCERT
AND I'LL NEVER FORGET THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THAT,
AND "HE'S ACTUALLY SAID YES, HE'S COMING,"
AND THE TENSION AROUND THE DINNER TABLE WAS JUST REALLY GREAT.
AND I KNEW WHO COUNT BASIE WAS BUT I NEVER THOUGHT I'D GET TO MEET THE GUY.
AND SO, A COUPLE REHEARSALS AND THE COUNT SHOWS UP
AND THE WHOLE AUDITORIUM JUST KINDA STOPPED WHAT IT WAS DOING,
AND, "HERE COMES THE COUNT."
HE COMES UP AND PRACTICES A LITTLE BIT, CHECKS OUT THE PIANO,
AND THERE WE GO.
AND SO, THE CONCERT HAPPENED, AND WHAT AN INCREDIBLE CONCERT,
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SHOW.
BUT THEN, AFTERWARDS, THERE WAS A PARTY AT BETTY FORD'S HOUSE,
AND THE WHOLE BAND WAS THERE, INCLUDING COUNT BASIE.
AND I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT.
AND THAT WAS A REALLY, REALLY COOL MOMENT.
AND I GOT TO MEET SOME REALLY GREAT, TOP-NOTCH JAZZ MUSICIANS,
AND MUSICIANS IN GENERAL, AND SOME GREAT, IMPORTANT, FAMOUS PEOPLE...
JUST FROM HANGING OUT WITH POPS. (chuckling)
SO, JUST A FEW STORIES, BUT ALSO I JUST WANTED TO--
I'M GONNA SHUT UP HERE PRETTY SOON,
BUT I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS,
IT'S BEEN REALLY ROUGH ON MY DAD AND MY MOM, ESPECIALLY,
AND I WANTED TO JUST SAY,
"THANK YOU, MOM, FOR TAKING CARE OF DAD,"
AND I KNOW IT WAS ROUGH.
WE LOVE YOU AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR HIM.
THANKS FOR BEING THERE.
THANK YOU.
(applause)
>> WELL, I LOOK BACK HERE AND I WONDER IF J.C. PENNEY'S HAD A SALE ON RED TIES.
(audience laughing)
UM...
YOU KNOW, ALL THAT ANYONE REALLY WANTS AT THE END
IS TO KNOW THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE, TO KNOW THAT THEY MATTERED.
AND YOU'VE GIVEN US A TREMENDOUS GIFT TONIGHT.
AND DAD WOULD'VE LOVED THIS,
AND IT'S A TREMENDOUS GIFT TO OUR FAMILY, TOO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS ALL TOGETHER
AND FOR BEING HERE
AND LISTENING AND PUTTING UP WITH US.
(both chuckling)
UM...
THIS IS REALLY OFF-TOPIC, BUT HOW ARE YOUR BRACKETS DOING?
(audience laughing)
DID ANYONE PICK MURRAY STATE?
>> (indistinct shouting).
>> IF YOU DO IT RIGHT,
YOU HAVE MURRAY STATE PLAYING MICHIGAN STATE AND--
>> 'O3! (audience laughing)
>> THOSE BOTH HAPPEN TO BE DAD'S ALMA MATERS,
SO I'VE GOT M.S.U. WINNING ONE OF THOSE. >> YEAH!
>> UM, YOU KNOW, I CAN SAY WITH A GREAT DEAL OF AFFECTION
THAT MUSICIANS ARE WEIRD AND QUIRKY--
AN ODD BUNCH.
AND, UM... >> WHOO!
(all chuckling)
>> AND DAD WAS SO PROUD
TO BE A MEMBER OF THAT TRIBE.
MUSICIANS-- THEY DON'T PLAY MUSIC.
THEY HAVE SO MUCH POWER TO...
HELP US FEEL OUR EMOTIONS
AND MOVE US IN WAYS THAT WE NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.
(clearing throat) AND, UM...
THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS WITH DAD.
I MEAN, MUSICIANS-- IT-- THE MUSIC ISN'T SOMETHING THEY PLAY.
IT'S SOMETHING THEY LIVED AND BREATHED,
AND IT'S THEIR LIFE FORCE, IT'S WHO THEY ARE.
AND SOMETIMES, IT COMES OUT IN ODD WAYS.
IT...
IT MIGHT BE DAD TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PITCH OF A FOG HORN OR, UH...
THE POLYRHYTHMS OF THE WASHING MACHINE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. (all laughing)
UM, AND AS KEITH SAID, YOU KNOW, TOWARD THE END, HE REALLY STRUGGLED...
I WOULD GO VISIT HIM AND THERE WOULD BE TIMES WHEN, YOU KNOW,
HE WAS REALLY TRYING TO HANG ON.
AND...
ONE TIME, IN PARTICULAR, I BROUGHT A MAGAZINE TO READ TO HIM.
AND I WOULD READ A LITTLE BIT, AND HE WASN'T REALLY INTO IT,
AND HE WOULD JUST KINDA FADE AWAY A LITTLE BIT,
AND I'D HEAR HIM HUMMING.
AND HE'D-- HE WAS--
(humming a tune)
I SAID, "DAD, THAT'S COLTRANE."
HE GOES, "YEAH, THAT'S COLTRANE." (audience laughing)
IT WAS JUST HIS PLACE-- A PLACE THAT HE COULD HANG ONTO.
AND, UM...
SO, TO ALL THE MUSICIANS, JUST KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT HE LOVED, THAT WAS--
UM, HE KNEW THAT IT WAS SO IMPORTANT,
AND HE REALLY FELT THAT THAT WAS HONORABLE, WORTHY WORK.
SO, THANK YOU.
(applause)
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MARK AND KEITH-- WE APPRECIATE IT.
THERE'S A LOT OF INSIGHT THERE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NOW, BEFORE I TURN THE MIC BACK OVER TO BOB NIXON,
I DO WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE GARY SIRONEN FROM THE FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS,
BECAUSE, REALLY, THIS EVENT TONIGHT COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT GARY.
UH, HE WAS THE ONE THAT HELPED OUT, MAKING THIS WHOLE THING HAPPEN.
HE ORGANIZED ALL THE MUSICIANS, GOT EVERYBODY TO COME.
SO, REALLY, I'D LIKE YOU TO ACKNOWLEDGE GARY AS WELL.
(applause) THANK YOU.
AND NOW, I'LL TURN THE MIC OVER TO BOB!
>> PROBABLY THE LAST THING YOU WANNA HEAR IS US TALK-- OR ME TALK.
THE FIRST THING WE PLAYED WAS LES BROWN'S "LEAP FROG,"
AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE WITH "STRING OF PEARLS."
(jazz music playing)
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(applause)
>> THANK YOU.
WHILE WE'RE BRINGING SHADES OF BLUE BACK UP--
THEY'RE GOING TO SING WITH US--
YOU HEARD FROM MIKE LUTLEY ON THE ALTO SAXOPHONE SOLO.
AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE OLD PICTURE OF RAY'S BAND, MIKE'S IN THE PICTURE.
DON'T LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF ME.
WHEN THEY ASKED ME TO DO THIS, I SAID, "THIS IS WONDERFUL.
"I'D LOVE TO."
BUT THE PROBLEM WAS EVERYBODY IN RAY'S BAND WAS RAY'S AGE.
AND THEY EITHER DIDN'T PLAY ANYMORE OR THEY HAD MOVED OR WHATEVER,
SO YOU SEE SOME OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS AND YOU SEE SOME NEW MEMBERS,
AND A SPECIAL-- COME ON UP, COME ON UP--
AND I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE
A COUPLE OF THE GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS.
I WAS VERY, VERY GRATEFUL WHEN I WALKED IN THE REHEARSAL TUESDAY NIGHT
AND SAW TONY SCOTT SITTING THERE PLAYING...
AND I SAID, "NOW I DON'T HAVE TO PLAY AND DIRECT AND DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE."
SO, TONY'S SITTING IN, PLAYING WITH THE BAND TONIGHT.
AND BACK IN THE TRUMPET SECTION IS AUSTIN HUNT...
(applause) AND HE'S PLAYED THE WHOLE REHEARSAL.
AND I WANNA GIVE A-- AS THE KIDS SAY--
A "BIG SHOUT-OUT" TO MICHAEL GILLAN, THE DIRECTOR.
WHAT A WONDERFUL BIG BAND.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE HEARD A BAND
PLAY AT THAT QUALITY-- SO, GREAT.
(applause)
(scattered laughing)
>> CHECK ONE. >> CHECKING MIC TWO.
>> CHECK THREE. >> CHECK FOUR.
>> CHECK MIC FIVE. >> CHECK SIX.
>> CHECK SEVEN.
(snapping)
(jazz music playing)
>> (singing) YOU'RE JUST TOO MARVELOUS
TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS
LIKE GLORIOUS YOU'RE GLAMOROUS
AND THAT OLD STANDBY AMOROUS
IT'S ALL TO WONDERFUL
I'LL NEVER NEVER NEVER FIND THE WORDS
NO ONE KNOWS THAT SAYING OF TELLING OF
I MEAN THEY JUST AREN'T SWELL ENOUGH
YOU'RE MUCH TOO MUCH
AND YOU'RE SO VERY MERRY
TO EVER BE NO YOU'LL NEVER BE
IN WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY
AND SO I AM BORROWING
A LOVE SONG FROM THE BIRDS
TO TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE MARVELOUS
TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS
(jazz music playing)
YOU ARE YOU ARE YOU ARE
YOU'RE TOO MARVELOUS
THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT CAN DO JUSTICE
SO I'LL SING DO-BAH-DAH-DO-BAH
IT'S ALL TOO WONDERFUL
BAH-DAH-DO-DAH BAH-DA-BA-DAH
BA-DO-DAH BOP-BAH BAZITA
I MEAN THAT WORDS AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH
YOU'RE MUCH TOO MUCH
AND YOU'RE SO VERY MERRY
YOU'LL NEVER BE
IN WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY
AND SO I'M BORROWING
A LOVE SONG FROM THE BIRDS
TO TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE MARVELOUS
TOO MARVELOUS YES TOO GOOD FOR WORDS
I'M TELLING YOU YOU'RE MARVELOUS
TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS
(applause)
>> WOW.
THAT WAS NICE-- I LIKED THAT.
WE HAD-- I HAD PICKED THE TUNE AND IT WAS KINDA NICE TO KNOW
THAT WE HAD A SPECIAL REQUEST TO PLAY THIS NEXT SELECTION,
AND I KNOW IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES,
AND IT WAS A MAJOR LEARNING CURVE FOR ME WHEN I PLAY WITH RAY'S BAND,
BECAUSE YOU'D HAVE ME PLAY LEAD AND TELL ME HOW TO DO IT.
AND THE GOOD NEWS IS HE WAS RIGHT.
UM, BUT A SPECIAL REQUEST-- "SHINY STOCKINGS."
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(applause)
>> I KNOW WHY RAY WAS ALWAYS SMILING.
DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH FUN IT IS TO STAND IN FRONT OF THIS BAND?
IT REALLY-- AND I HAVE TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE,
AND I JUST WANNA STAY HERE AND HAVE ALL THAT SOUND RIGHT IN MY FACE.
UH, WE KINDA DREW STRAWS TO SEE WHO GOT TO TALK TONIGHT,
BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS A RAY STORY,
BUT DAVE WELLS AND HIS FATHER, RALPH,
WERE REALLY, REALLY CLOSE AND TIED TO RAY,
AND I'M GONNA LET DAVE JUST SAY A COUPLE WORDS.
>> THANKS.
MY DAD, RALPH WELLS, TAUGHT IN THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SO DID RAY.
A LOT OF THE MUSIC TEACHERS KNEW EACH OTHER
AND RESPECTED EACH OTHER.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN RAY WASN'T MARRIED,
AND MY DAD WOULD GO DO STUFF WITH RAY.
RAY WOULD, UH-- HAD SOME PASSIONS, LIKE RACING.
HE HAD A LITTLE TRIUMPH-- THAT WAS HIS LITTLE TREASURE--
AND HE WOULD GO TO ROAD RALLIES.
HE'D SET UP PYLONS IN A PARKING LOT AND JUST HAVE A LITTLE STOP WATCH,
AND THEY WOULD RACE AGAINST EACH OTHER ON TIME.
AND I GOT TO SEE HIM RACE.
IT WAS A LOT OF FUN BECAUSE I GOT TO SEE A LOT OF OTHER CARS, TOO.
AND YOU KNOW, ONCE IN A WHILE,
SOMEBODY WOULD ROLL THEIR CAR AND EVERYBODY WOULD GO, "OOO..."
BUT RAY, UH-- HE HAD A PASSION FOR RACING,
AND I GOT TO SEE HIM DO THAT.
HE'S PRETTY GOOD ON THREE WHEELS, AND HE TOOK A LOT OF PRIDE IN THAT.
AND EVEN ONE TIME, THERE WAS A--
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE OLD PLAINFIELD DRIVE-IN,
BUT THAT'S WHERE THEY HAD ONE OF THE RACES
THAT TAKES YOU UP TO THE TOP OF THE HILL,
AND I REMEMBER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, EVERYBODY'S TAKING OFF,
AND THEN YOU WONDER HOW THEY'RE DOING
'CAUSE THEY DISAPPEARED INTO THE HILLS AND THE TREES.
BUT IT'S A LOT OF FUN SEEING THAT.
AND I REMEMBER GOING WITH MY DAD SOMETIMES.
SOMETIMES, HE'D HAVE TO GO PICK UP RAY AND DO SOMETHING.
AND IT WAS A GOOD FRIENDSHIP.
AND IT MEANT A LOT TO MY DAD AND A LOT TO RAY,
THAT HE MET SOMEBODY PRETTY SPECIAL IN HELEN
AND MADE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IN WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT,
AND JUST ACKNOWLEDGE HOW MUCH IT MEANT FOR HIM
TO HAVE SOMEONE AS WONDERFUL AS HELEN.
AND SHE TOOK A CHANCE-- SHE ALREADY HAD MARK,
AND SHE HAD LOST HER HUSBAND PREVIOUSLY,
AND SHE WAS TAKING A CHANCE ON ANOTHER GUY, AND RAY WAS--
AND HELEN TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT PAIR,
AND HE TOOK ON A ROLE OF BEING A FATHER FOR MARK.
AND LO AND BEHOLD, HE GOT TO BE A FATHER TO KEITH,
AND IT WAS A FAMILY THAT WAS A TREASURE FOR HIM.
SO, I WANNA ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, 'CAUSE WE COULD SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN RAY.
RAY WAS A WHOLE 'NOTHER GUY
WHEN HE MET HELEN AND BECAME THAT FAMILY.
SO, AT ANY RATE, IT WAS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE AROUND RAY,
AND I ALWAYS APPRECIATED HIS HIGH STANDARDS
IN ALL KINDS OF AREAS,
AS FAR AS MUSIC AS WELL AS DRESS.
SO, WE'LL CONTINUE ON WITH THE REST OF THE EVENING.
(applause)
>> YOU CAN HELP US OUT WITH THE VOCAL PART ON THIS A LITTLE BIT.
I DIDN'T KNOW GRAND RAPIDS HAD THIS MANY RED TIES.
(audience laughing)
I WANTED TO COME OVER TO THE HOUSE AND ASK HELEN
IF I COULD GO THROUGH THE CLOSET, 'CAUSE-- BUT I FOUND MINE.
YOU ALL KNOW THIS ONE.
(jazz music playing)
>> (all) PENNSYLVANIA STATE SIX-5000!
(jazz music playing)
>> (all) PENNSYLVANIA STATE SIX-5000!
(jazz music playing)
>> (all) PENNSYLVANIA STATE SIX-5000!
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(light applause)
(jazz music playing)
>> (all) PENNSYLVANIA STATE SIX-FIVE-OH-OH-OH!
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(applause)
>> JOHN MILLER, ARE YOU STILL HERE?
JOHN, JOHN, JOHN.
AND MARY'S HERE-- SHE CAN COME ON UP, TOO.
JOHN MILLER HAS BEEN A FRIEND FOR A LONG TIME.
HE HAS BEEN ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE GRAND RAPIDS--
THE WEST MICHIGAN JAZZ SOCIETY.
AND I ASKED IF HE WOULD COME AND JUST GIVE YOU--
AT THIS POINT, THEY'RE GONNA KICK US OUT OF HERE REAL SOON,
AND WE'D LIKE TO PLAY FOR ABOUT TWO MORE HOURS
'CAUSE THIS IS FUN.
HE'S GONNA GIVE YOU JUST KIND OF A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHAT RAY DID,
IN TERMS OF THE EDUCATION IN GRAND RAPIDS.
>> HI.
ABOUT 26 YEARS AGO, I THINK IT WAS,
A BUNCH OF JAZZ AFICIONADOS SAID, "HEY, LET'S GET SOMETHING ORGANIZED,"
SO THEY STARTED THE WEST MICHIGAN JAZZ SOCIETY.
RAY WAS RIGHT THERE WITH THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND MOTHERS,
AND HIS PASSION--
HIS WHOLE THING WAS EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS.
ONE OF OUR CHARTERS IN OUR BYLAWS, IS "WE'RE GONNA HELP SPREAD JAZZ
"TO YOUNG MUSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY."
RAY WAS FANTASTIC WITH THAT.
HE'D CALL THE SCHOOLS, HE'D ORGANIZE AND GET OUT,
AND GARY AND THE TEACHERS UNION WERE VERY HELPFUL
IN GETTING US GOING WITH THIS, TOO.
BUT, UH...
I REMEMBER ONE STORY.
A FEW YEARS AGO, RAY WAS AT ONE OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS,
AND SOMEHOW IT GOT OUT
THAT HE WAS A PILOT
IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS IN WORLD WAR II.
THE KIDS DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT MUSIC.
THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING OF THAT!
NO, THEY WANTED TO HEAR RAY AND HIS STORIES ABOUT WORLD WAR II
AND FLYING COMBAT MISSIONS.
WHATEVER IT TAKES TO KEEP YOUR AUDIENCE CAPTIVE--
I GUESS THAT WORKS.
UH, IN 2003,
RAY WAS HONORED BY BECOMING, I THINK,
THE FOURTH MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR.
IT'S AN AWARD THAT WE GIVE OUT EVERY YEAR
TO AN OUTSTANDING MUSICIAN IN OUR COMMUNITY,
AND RAY WAS ONE OF THE EARLY ONES.
AND BACK IN THE ROOM WITH ALL THE CUPCAKES,
YOU'LL SEE A PLAQUE THAT HE RECEIVED,
A NICE LETTER FROM MAYOR LOGIE AT THE TIME.
SO, THAT WAS GOOD.
AND WHILE WE'RE ON MUSICIANS OF THE YEAR,
WE HAVE ELGIN VINE OVER THERE ON THE BASS.
WE-- (applause)
WE HAVE STEVE TALAGA PLAYING THE PIANO.
(applause)
AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO HEAR MARY RADEMACHER REED
SING A TUNE HERE IN A BIT,
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS TO THEM,
THANKS TO THIS WONDERFUL ARRAY OF TALENT WE HAVE IN WEST MICHIGAN.
AND WHEN I SEE THOSE KIDS FROM GRCC...
I GUESS JAZZ WILL LIVE FOR A WHILE LONGER.
THANKS A LOT.
(applause)
>> I NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF SINGING WITH RAY'S ORCHESTRA,
BUT I DID HAVE THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH THEM
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
AND MY EDUCATION AT GRJC WAS A BIG PART OF THAT--
PREPARING ME FOR THE MUSIC OF THE REAL WORLD.
AS SOME OF THESE GUYS-- WE ALL WERE THERE AROUND THE SAME TIME.
I EVEN CAME BACK AFTER MICHIGAN STATE
AND AUDITED SHADES OF BLUE WITH DUANE DAVIS
BECAUSE IT WASN'T THERE WHEN I WAS THERE.
SO, ANYWAY...
RAY ALWAYS EXPECTED A LOT AND YOU WANTED TO BE THERE,
GIVING IN THE BEST YOU COULD, TOO, SO...
HE HAD A WONDERFUL VOICE...
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THAT, BUT HE DID SING.
AND I JUST LOVED IT WHEN HE SANG.
"MAKIN' WHOOPEE" AND "THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME."
WE'RE NOT SINGING THOSE SONGS, BUT HERE'S A GREAT STANDARD,
"FLY ME TO THE MOON."
(humming)
(jazz music playing)
(singing) FLY ME TO THE MOON
AND LET ME PLAY AMONG THE STARS
LET ME SEE WHAT SPRING IS LIKE
ON JUPITER AND MARS
IN OTHER WORDS
HOLD MY HAND
IN OTHER WORDS
DARLIN' KISS ME
FILL MY HEART WITH SONG
AND LET ME SING FOREVER MORE
YOU ARE ALL I LONG FOR
ALL I WORSHIP AND ADORE
IN OTHER WORDS
PLEASE BE TRUE
IN OTHER WORDS
I LOVE YOU
(jazz music playing)
IN OTHER WORDS
HOLD MY HAND
IN OTHER WORDS
OOO BABY KISS ME
(jazz music playing)
IN OTHER WORDS
PLEASE BE TRUE
IN OTHER WORDS
IN OTHER WORDS
I
LOVE
YOU
(jazz music playing)
I LOVE YOU
(applause)
THANK YOU.
THANKS, TOM.
>> THE POWERS THAT BE-- HOW MANY MORE CAN I DO?
(laughing) A COUPLE?
YOU OKAY WITH TWO MORE?
TWELVE MORE?
THE THIRD SET-- OKAY.
TROMBONES.
WE'RE GONNA FEATURE OUR WONDERFUL TROMBONE SECTION
ON A BEAUTIFUL ARRANGEMENT OF "HERE'S THAT RAINY DAY."
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(applause)
>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARRANGEMENTS TO PLAY
IS THE NEXT ONE, "TUXEDO JUNCTION."
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(applause)
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
UM, REAL QUICKLY-- ON THE SAXOPHONE SECTION,
WE HAVE KEN HUISMAN ON THE BARITONE SAX,
PAUL ZARZECKI, MIKE LUTLEY ON LEAD,
TONY SCOTT AND TOM STANSELL, SAXOPHONES.
(applause)
TROMBONE SECTION, ON THIS END-- BOB ENGLESMAN.
YOU'VE ALREADY MET MICHAEL, DAVE WELLS, AND BOB TAYLOR.
(applause)
TRUMPET SECTION-- GARY SIRONEN, AUSTIN HUNT, FRANK WARRICK,
ROB WARMELS, DAVID WELLS, AND--
I'LL GET IT, I'LL GET IT-- SHOOT.
MARK SLUITER.
WHOO, DANG.
(applause)
YOU KNOW, HE'S GOT THAT FACE YOU JUST REMEMBER.
ON OUR PIANO, WE HAVE STEVE TALAGA AND RICHARD PASCHKE.
(applause)
ELGIN VINES ON THE BASS.
(applause)
MILT SERNICK ON THE DRUMS-- MY BUDDY.
(applause)
AND I'M JUST THE GUY THAT GETS TO HOLD THE MICROPHONE
AND STAND IN FRONT OF A GREAT BAND.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE--
WE'RE GONNA CLOSE WITH WHAT RAY USUALLY CLOSED WITH,
"WOODCHOPPER'S BALL."
OH, WHO DID I MISS?
>> (indistinct speaking). >> OH, WALT!
WALT!
WELL, I MADE MY NOTES DURING REHEARSAL AND HE HAD A GIG OR SOMETHING.
SORRY, WALT.
(applause)
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(light applause)
(jazz music playing)
(light applause)
(jazz music playing)
(light applause)
(jazz music playing)
(light applause)
(jazz music playing)
(jazz music playing)
(applause, cheering)
(applause continues)
>> I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR COMING.
THERE'S LOTS OF CUPCAKES LEFT... (audience laughing)
SO WE HOPE YOU'LL TAKE SOME HOME.
WE DON'T HAVE BOXES, BUT THERE'S PLENTY OF NAPKINS.
THANK YOU ALL.
THANKS, BOB NIXON AND THE BAND.
EVERYBODY, GOOD NIGHT NOW.
BE SAFE.