Christmas Jazz Concert
Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church
Hot Springs Village, AR
December 1, 2017
Photos by Becky Harvey
- VILLAGE BIG BAND 2017 pre-concert l-r Don Phillips, Ray Narug, Ron Dana, Jan Jenkins, Jim Kelly, Maureen Morgan, Jonathan VanHouten, Bill Morgan, Will Anderson, Nora Cole, Bob Casteel, Donna Morton, Norm Morton, Bruce Harvey, Steve Fetcko, Kenny McKay, Hal Thompson, Phil McLarty, Lee Beach, Jerry Jamrich, and Ken Bridges
- Guest vocalist, Kenny McKay, leads congregational Christmas carol singing….
- COH organist, Ruth Clemens furnishes the accompaniment for the carol singing.
- The VBB lead off with “Trombones Under the Tree”….
- VBB leader, Bill Morgan, directs as vocalist, Maureen Morgan sings for us.
- Guest vocalist, Kenny McKay shares his “golden” tones with us…
- Guest sax, Jon VanHouten takes a solo while giving Kenny a break….
- Maureen & Kenny share the mics for a tune…..
- Soloists….include Phil McLarty on T-bone
- Jim Kelly, lead trumpet
- Jan Jenkins, trumpet
- Ken Bridges, trumpet
- Will Anderson, tenor sax
- and Steve Fetcko, piano
- The VBB gets to the end of the concert…..with a large crowd in attendance…..
Garvan Gardens Concert
Opening Day of Christmas Lighting
Anthony Chapel,
Garvan Woodland Gardens
Hot Springs, AR – November 18, 2017
Photos by Becky Harvey
- The Village Big Band launches into their first number.
- “Girl” singer, Maureen Morgan
- Guest “Boy” singer, Kenny McKay
- Our vocalists makin’ great music together.
- Kenny sings a Holiday song….
- 1/4 of the rhythm section, percussionist, Lee Beach
- Bruce Harvey, on trumpet
- another 1/4 of the rhythm section, Ron Dana, guitarist
- Will Anderson on tenor sax
- Guest alto sax, Jon VanHouten
- The other 2/4 of the rhythm section , lft. Norm Morton, bass & Steve Fetcko, piano, with Mr. guitar in the background.
- Guest trumpet, Ken Bridges, with Janet Jenkins
- Lead trumpet, Jim Kelly, with bass “bone”, Nora Cole and Jan Jenkins
- a near capacity crowd enjoys our Christmas jazz arrangements
Benefit for Hurricane/Flood Victims – Dance
Coronado Center Patio,
Hot Springs Village, AR – October 10, 2017
Photos by Carla Olson
- Setting up on the Coronado Center patio on a night that should have been delightful……
- ….but as the evening progressed the wind blew around 20 mph and temp dropped to the 50s………
- Guest pianist, Clyde Pound & Bassist, Norm Morton are ready to brave the elements….NOT!
- The VBB absorbs the last of their heat before going out to play.
- Trombone, Don Phillips tries to “wind proof” his music….
- some VBB “groupies” before going out….
- The VBB …..it’s really hard play a horn with chattering teeth!!!!
- Will Anderson (l) & Earl Hesse play a duet….
- Volunteers and band wives, Becky Harvey (l) & Diane Upchurch man the “Band Request” table.
- The setting is marvelous….except…..please turn up the heat!!! Our “Boy Singer” Ken Bridges gives us one of his great renditions.
- “Girl Singer”, Maureen Morgan & hubby Colin, “cut the rug” or in this case the tile….
- Our “Girl” singer, Maureen sings a “hot” melody.
- Our photographer, Carla, took this drink picture at the end to show how much the ice had NOT melted!!!
Tribute to Joe Shelnutt – Concert
First Baptist Church,
Benton, AR – September 28, 2017
Photos by Carla Olson
- VBB leader, Bill Morgan, discusses pre-concert details…..
- VBB does a pre-concert pose…..
- Introducing The Village Big Band……for a special memorial concert for our departed tenor sax, Joe Shelnutt.
- Leader, Bill has a word with our audience….
- The VBB gets “down to business”……
- A solo by Phil McLarty…..
- A solo by Dr. Earl Hesse, with trumpeter, Jim Kelly in the back & Sax, Howard Olson to his left….
- Chuck Shelnutt, Joe’s son, shares his talent with us…..
- a very appreciative audience…..
- Chuck & Earl Hesse share a duet in “In The Mood”.for our encore…
- A standing ovation…
- l-r Kaye Hudson, Joe’s sister, Chuck Shelnutt and Joe’s wife, Gloria.
- Our great guest pianist, Linda Sanders.
- and, of course, we always enjoy playing for food……
Stars and Stripes Fest – Dance
Balboa Pavilion,
Hot Springs Village, AR – July 2, 2017
Photos by Carla Olson
- The advertising in front of Balboa Pavilion
- sub pianist, Ron Hall & bassist, Norm Morton “warming up” their fingers…..
- The VBB kicks off the first number…..
- a view from back of the rhythm section….
- our “girl” singer, Maureen Morgan sings a serious melody….with Ron Hall in the background.
- Don Phillips, trombone plays a solo…
- Saxes, (l) Dr. Earl Hesse & Howard Olson….
- Howard Olson takes a bow….
- our T-Bone, Rev. Phil McLarty gives a great solo on “Vehicle”…..rock on , Phil…….
- Dr. Hesse plays his clarinet…..or could that be Pete Fountain?
- a very serious bari saxman, Dr. Hal Thompson….
- a solo by sub trumpeter, Ken Bridges…..
- ….a rear view or our Leader, Bill Morgan, as he plays his sax.
- our patriotic l’il drummer-boy, Lee Beach, using the trumpets as backup…or background??
- “Girl” singer & hubby, Colin, with their happy faces.
- our great audience…..
- …..and more of our audience…..
- …..and danced some more…..to “YMCA”…..
- …..and they danced……
- …..and dance some more.
- ……and danced some more….
- darkness falls at the scene…
- one of the final dances…..
- our audience stands & sings, for our final number, “America The Beautiful”.
- The VBB acknowledges the audiences appreciation.
Keenager Lunch – Concert
Geyer Springs Baptist Church,
Little Rock, AR – May 17, 2017
Photos by Carla Olson
- The VBB poses at the beginning of the concert.
- The pastor introduces the VBB
- A very appreciative audience……
- Our “chic” singer, Maureen Morgan
- Our “boy” singer, Kenny McKay takes a turn……
- Leader, Bill Morgan gives us a solo……
- Bruce Harvey entertains on the flugel horn
- Dr. Earl Hesse shares his talent……
- Phil McLarty on T-bone……
- The audience stands to sing “America the Beautiful”…..
- …….and now the payoff……yes, we do “play for food”!
Biscuits With Bruce
“Appreciation Event”
Incidental Music
Balboa Pavilion,
Hot Springs Village, AR – May 11, 2017
Photos contributed
- The VBB providing background entertainment for the event.