Big Band veterans perform to help homeless in Youngstown this winter

Staff report

youngstown

Big Band performers with some very distinguished musical pedigrees played Sunday at Stambaugh Auditorium to help the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.

Ron Chick’s Friends All Star Alumni Big Band took the stage to help the Rescue Mission in its work with the Valley’s homeless and needy population this winter.

The band, said Chick, who is the show’s producer, conductor, director and drummer, is made up of alumni from the Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich orchestras and the U.S. Navy Band.

Chick said the band plays benefits throughout the country.

The band has been together for eight years, he said.

Sunday’s performance was the second year it played for the Rescue Mission.

About 150 people attended the benefit. Organizers said Sunday night they do not know yet how much money was raised for the Rescue Mission.