Jazz-swing orchestra sets up first-class show

IF YOU go

What: The First Class Big Band

Where: Halligan Bar and Grill, 1281 Salt Springs Road

When: Thursday, 8 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is $5

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The First Class Big Band, an 18-piece jazz-swing orchestra, will give a concert at 8 p.m. Thursday at Halligan Bar and Grill, 1281 Salt Springs Road.

Admission is $5.

The program will include songs by Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Ted Heath and Frank Sinatra.

First Class was founded in 1992 by Valley natives Doug James, a jazz trumpeter, vocalist and educator, and Jim Volenik, alto sax player and educator. Although Volenik is no longer a co-leader, he still plays with First Class.

James, a Dana School of Music and a longtime educator in Youngstown City Schools, is the director of the Youngstown schools faculty/student jazz band.

In 1998-99, he performed full time on the road with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra and has also performed with Kaye Starr, the Temptations, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Lee Castle and Julia Rich.

Also performing in First Class will be local standout musicians Kent Engelhard (alto sax and clarinet), director of Dana School of Music Jazz Studies Program; Shawn Marko (bass), former member of the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra; Jon Olsson (trombone), trombone instructor at YSU and formerly of River City Brass; Rich Rollo (tenor sax), W.D. Packard Concert Big Band and Dana School alumni; Eric Dregne (bass trombone), the Jazz Heritage Orchestra; Jim Richley (drums), Dana alumni; Norman Pellegrini (trumpet), recent Dana School graduate; Ben Holmes (alto sax); and recent Dana student Lauren Eisenreich (trombone).

The rest of the band is from Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

The venue, Halligan’s Bar and Grill, used to be known as the Club Merry Go Round, and hosted acts many national acts including Ella Fitzgerald, the Mills Brothers, Nat King Cole Trio and Ethel Waters.

For information, call 234-228-9421.