[June
6, 1997] --They recall the vanished days when big
bands crisscrossed the country, entertaining at glamorous
dances. But there's nothing musty or old-fogeyish about
Gap Mangione's Big Band -- a bouncy, brassy 13 piece outfit
based in Rochester. Gap Mangione, Chuck's urbane, piano-playing
brother, fell under the spell of big bands while he was
still a boy. As a student at Syracuse University, he played
in big bands accompanying entertainers like Sammy Davis
Jr, and Nat "King" Cole. Even now, though he performs
occasional solo and trio gigs, the big band is his first
love. He has three trumpets, three trombones, four saxes,
plus rhythm section and vocalists.
Any
time they swing through Buffalo, it's a glitzy happening
event. You never know who will turn up -- guest performers
over the past few years have included locals like Dave
Schiavone and Jeff Jarvis. And you're never sure exactly
what the band will play -- a mix of blues, bop, Latin
numbers and romantic standards, with occasional calypso
and funk thrown in. (Most recently, in honor of summer,
the band has recorded a unique "Take Me Out To The Ball
Game.") The only thing that's predictable about Gap Mangione's
Big Band is a big, enthusiastic audience, Mangione's wide,
unwavering smile -- and the certainty that whatever happens
is going to be fun
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