Photos by Isabell Macrina
Entire band supporting each other and bringing the 30s to today
By Isabell Macrina
Hometown Weekly Reporter
A summer evening is the perfect time to enjoy music out in the open, and the Walpole Commons is one of the best places to enjoy it. Recently, the Bare Bones Big Band took to the bandstand with their nonet, a nine-member group, and their big band music to get the patrons in the dancing mood.
“Big Band” music is the era of music from the 1930’s to the 40’s that encompasses a lot of swing and jazz music, which felt perfectly right for the summer evening. Band leader Christopher Mish has rearranged every tune to ensure each song feels as full as the original recordings with an 18-piece band, despite there only being nine of them. His hard work certainly paid off. Featuring instruments like the trombone, saxophones, trumpets and a flute for a song, they all felt just as full with notes and the perfect rhythm to dance to.
Besides Chris the band included Mike Greenfield, Andy Solberg, Christian Borges, Randy Coltier, Carl Hosbond, Nick Weatherby, Ryan Crokowski, and Joe Casano. Each member brought something different to the table. They may be an ensemble group, but each got their time in the sun with their instruments. They brought their love for the genre into each note. Standout of the night was Lynne Radiches, the vocalist. Her sultry voice and scatting ability felt like it was pulling the crowd back in time to a jazz club. The entire group was so personable, talking to the crowd during their breaks in show and being very humble to the compliments they were given.
It was a very Duke Ellington forward night, which is not a complaint by any means. While kids rode bikes and scooters around the park, parents and grandparents got to enjoy the music. Some of the older crowd were heard talking about how these songs brought them back to the era of town dances, finding a fella and swinging on the floor. It was obvious the stories held fond memories, and it was lovely that they had a chance to relive it.
Even as the night slowed down, the crowd still swayed to the music. A local couple began dancing in the square, earning applause from the crowd. With lit up streetlights and lights in the trees, the big band music gave a perfect air to an end of summer evening.
