One of Columbus’ longest-running sources for great weekly live jazz hits a major milestone next week. On Thursday, June 20th, from 7:30 to 10:30pm, the Rick Brunetto Big Band will celebrate 30 Years (!) of weekly big band dances at the 94th Aero Squadron. Tickets are $20 (show only) to $45 (includes a buffet dinner, starting at 6pm) and are available via Eventbrite or by calling 614-238-7778 or 614-579-1150. Beyond its standard lineup of 18-plus outstanding Columbus musicians, the RBBB will feature its full current vocalist lineup of Michael Phillips, Tia Harris, Jeremy Lahman and Lori Everhart plus returning veteran vocalists Kelly McLennan, Lisa Clark and Brian Michael Smith. Wow! There will be special remembrances of the night’s “regular dancers” plus musicians Dwight Lenox, Gary McKaig, Bill Ferguson and John Barnes, who unfortunately passed away in the past 5 years. Keep reading for full details from the band, and make your plans now for a Columbus jazz night to remember!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WHEN: Thursday, June 20, 2019, 7:30 to 10:30pm
WHAT: THE RICK BRUNETTO BIG BAND CELEBRATES 30 Years at The 94th Aero Squadron
WHY: Celebrating 30 Years of weekly Thursday evening dancing at The 94th Aero Squadron
WHERE: The 94th Aero Squadron, 5030 Sawyer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219
The 30 year in the making celebration at The 94th Aero Squadron culminates on Thursday, June 20, 2019, 7:30 to 10:30 at The 94th. We celebrate our current terrific vocalist line-up of Michael Phillips, Tia Harris, Jeremy Lahman and Lori Everhart, adding our veteran vocalists Kelly McLennan, Lisa Clark and Brian Michael Smith. Guest musicians from past years will be sitting in throughout the evening. We will remember our “regular dancers” along with our musicians Gary McKaig, Bill Ferguson and John Barnes, who were all with us only a short five years ago.
The 94th Aero Squadron has hosted a progression of music from just one band consisting of 18-plus musicians over the past thirty years. The Rick Brunetto Big Band starting in the late 1980s with classic Big Band and Sinatra charts, evolved to Chicago, Manilow, and Motown over the decades, then sailing into Bruno Mars and Queen in 2018. How did they achieve this moment in time? Brunetto’s love of Doc Severinsen started in his early teens when Rick promised himself he would one day have his own big band. The former percussionist with The Bob Allen Trio, after 15 years of playing six nights a week at Columbus’s Christopher Inn departed, bassist Cornell Wiley and pianist Bob Allen in 1984, to start his local homage to Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show Band.
June 1989 The Rick Brunetto Big Band started their notoriety at The 94th Aero Squadron, with Sunday afternoon tea dances. Brunetto’s vocalist at that time, Brian Michael Smith, secured the weekly gig with Brunetto moving it a year later to the Thursday night dances. Which became the signature night for four trombones, four trumpets, five saxes and a rhythm section with Brunetto on drums.
Rick Brunetto’s sentiments for his monumental musical life event: “We are so grateful for all of our supporters, fans, and dancers, which have made it possible for our band to have this historic run for 30 years.”
A buffet dinner is being offered from 6:00pm until 7:30pm, with dancing until 10:30pm.
The price for dinner and show is $45.00. The price for the show only is $20.00.
For more information visit www.rickbrunetto.com or call 614-238-7778 (94th) or 614-579-1150. Also check Eventbrite for tickets.