Sentimental Orchestra swings into town

Get out your dancin’ shoes, the Sentimental Swing Band is coming to Johnston.

The group, which was founded more than three decades ago by the late Ed Madden, will be at the Johnston Senior Center (JSC) Monday evening, Sept. 16, for a two-hour performance featuring a variety of big band swing music from the 1920s and 1960s.

Tickets are only $10 per person and the JSC will provide wine and cheese.

“We really like playing there,” said Stan Shaw, who is the band’s longest sustained member. “They always have an appreciative crowd and lots of dancers … we really like people dancing during our performances.”

Concert-goers will be treated to sounds that span nearly a half-century, made famous by the likes of legends such as Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller, just to name a few.

“We have a big library,” Shaw said following the group’s Monday night performance in East Providence. “We have something like 700 big band arrangements … tonight we played music by Harry James. We usually do everything from fox trots to Latin. On Monday, we’ll probably do swing and waltzes … they have a lot of people who love to dance.”

The 17-member Sentimental Swing Orchestra last visited Johnston in the spring. Shaw explained that the band is made up of five saxophones, four trombones, bass, piano, guitar, drums and a singer.

“Our musicians range in age from teenagers to people like Eddie Proux,” Shaw said of the group’s 90-year-old bass player. “The guy who sits next to me [in the alto sax section] is Bob Wilson. He’s also 90, and the youngster who played the drums here tonight is in high school.”

When asked if he has a favorite song or arrangement, Shaw said, “I like ’em all. I really enjoy vocals and listening to Mara sing; she’s great!”

Mara Castle, who has treated audiences to her beautiful voice while singing with the Sentimental Swing Orchestra the past four years, will be in Johnston for Monday night’s two-hour performance from 7 to 9 p.m.

Parking is always free at JSC events. Tickets may be purchased at the door. To reserve tickets, call Debbie Ross, the Center’s public relations coordinator, at 944-3343.