Why? I'm still shaking off my time in Texas, where we were the Original Recipe Big Band. The New Flamingo Swing Orchestra was what we were when at our founding, back when I was scribbling charts in our spare bedroom on Westwood Blvd. in Los Angeles, soon to be occupied by our about-to-be-born son, Brendan, who is now 28 years old and himself living in Fort Worth with his lovely wife, two huge dogs, and a gig most weekends playing drums with a young people's jump jive band.
I guess I just like this incarnation better. Texas was a lot of frustration for me, despite the good and enduring friendships there. Something about being at war with the climate on a fundamental level, either too cold or blisteringly hot. Ah, the heat, and the fire ants. Don't get me started on fire ants.
So here I am living alone in paradise, and the band's a reflection of that. For better or worse, this is my identity and the band's.
I continue to write charts like there was a demand outside the band for them. (Perhaps someday . . . ) Recent additions are Blues in Hoss' Flat by Frank Foster for Count Basie, Greasy Sack Blues by Don Rader for Woody's band, and, now that I'm all wrapped up in Benny Carter's compositions, I Was Wrong, a lovely little ballad we'll be playing at Bocci's.
The band at Bocci's will be me on alto, Paul Contos and Brad Hecht on tenors, Paul Tarantino on baritone, Stan Soroken and John Hemsley on trumpets, Dave Gregoric on trombone, Mark Howell on guitar, Jon Dryden on piano, Chris Charman on bass, Olaf Schiappacasse on drums, and young Nick Roberto doing a couple vocals.
I'm going to get a few club/restaurant owners in to Bocci's to hear us. I want them to see how we pack the place whenever we play, how we take care of the customers and use our fan lists to bring them out. Ultimately the business is all about butts in the seats, couples on the dance floor, and how many drinks are consumed per person. I've always counted beers at tables from the bandstand. Try it. It works.
Ever onward.
