By Audrey Anderson
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The young and talented 18-piece BeanTown Swing Orchestra jitterbugged into town with a lively swing concert on the Dover Town Common on Tuesday night, July 9. The band was the opening act of Dover’s Summer Concert Series, which was organized jointly by the Dover Parks and Recreation department and the Dover Town Library. To make it a well-rounded family event, kids played games from Knucklebones and enjoyed a free shaved ice treat from the Kona Ice Truck before and during the concert.
According to its website, “the BeanTown Swing Orchestra specializes in performing classic Swing Era music with young, talented musicians using vintage instruments from that period. Its mission is to help keep this great American art form thriving for current and future generations to enjoy.” In addition to performing at events and concerts, the group “also offers high school programs and assemblies with the goal of engaging, entertaining, and educating young audiences on the most historically and culturally significant form of American music ever created.”
The group “recruits talented students in high school and middle school” from all over the state of Massachusetts and “trains them on professionally-restored pre-WWII instruments.” When the “musicians reach college age . . . many become mentors and teach younger incoming players.”
In Dover, the band played swing music with a great amount of fidelity to the exuberant phrasing, sound, dynamics, and style of the original music. Excellent trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, and drum soloists delivered exciting improvisations at very high performance levels.
In their hour-long performance, the band played many swing hits, including “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “Pennsylvania 65000,” “In the Mood,” “A-Tisket A Tasket,” and Chattanooga Choo Choo.”
Strong vocalist and mistress of ceremonies Carolina Perez, channeled swing-era singers with her true phrasing and style, jazzy note-bending, and connection with the audience.
If you get a chance to see the BeanTown Swing Orchestra, don’t miss it! For more information, see their website, beantownswing.com.
