The concept for the Snowbird Orchestra arose from the core of the
"Will Mack Big Band" on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state, in the
winter of 1998. Several members of that ensemble were snowbirds and the idea
of putting together a "snowbird band" to travel to the resorts of the desert
southwest was conceived. Through out the next year contacts were made and
the original program "The Greatest Hits of WW2" was written. Band members
were auditioned and rehearsed.
The Snowbird Orchestra and girl trio, The Skylarks went on the road
in January of 2000, performing in Hemet, Beaumont, Palm Desert and Indio
California. They also traveled to and performed in Las Vegas Nevada,
Quartzsite, Mesa and Gilbert Arizona and were very enthusiastically received
in every venue. "Though we never got used to it, we were told over and over,
'This is the best entertainment we've ever had.'"
The original members of the cast, all retirees, went from venue to venue, continuously
pinching themselves to remember that this was really happening. For many it was a
lifelong dream come true.
The Greatest Hits of WW2 was very successfully continued for 4
seasons. At that point we began to see younger and younger retirees in our
audience, and in order to adjust to our changing audience our
second program was produced.
The Fabulous Fifties Review
debuted in 2004 and in addition to the trimmed down Snowbird Orchestra and The
Skylarks we featured Elvis impersonator, James Reynolds. That year we performed 18
shows in 24 days in 8 cities. Our audiences loved the change and we had as much fun as
they did.
The Fabulous Fifties Review returned in 2005 with out "Elvis" and added even
more shows.
Up on our return to the Northwest in March of 2005 production began on
"Girl Singers of the 40's 50's & 60's" For this new show we took the best
of the girl group songs from our two previous shows and added many hits of
the 1960's. "The Snowbird Orchestra meets Motown."
This is proving to be our best show ever and when it debuts in January 2006
I feel confident that audiences will love this as much as they have loved
our previous shows.
Some Past and Present Cast Members
Tom Carlin Guitarist 2006, 2007 Snowbird Tour
From a long time movie industry family in Hollywood, Tom began acting at an early age, with minor roles as a child in the TV series “Lassie.” He also appeared in “Route 66” “Search For Tomorrow,” and “The Defenders,” plus other roles. Entering the family business Tom was music editor on many box office hits including, “Romancing The Stone,” “Nine and ½ Weeks,” “The Delta Force,” “Tales From The Crypt,” and “Beethoven.” Carlin worked as Music Director on 2 Kenny Rogers movies and received an Emmy nomination for his work on “The Gambler.” Carlin also acted as Music Director for the Disney Project, Captain EO, starring Michael Jackson. Now semi retired in Sequim WA Tom devotes himself to the guitar and claims “touring with the Snowbirds, is the most fun I’ve ever had.” Read more about Tom online at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0137542/
Leonard Julian Tenor & Bari Saxes 2006, 2007 Snowbird Tours
Played in the Fort Ord Army Band and the 25th Div. Band in Korea. He is currently playing in several bands in the Bay Area, the best known in San Francisco is the Serenaders.
James Reynolds “Elvis” 2004 Snowbird Tour
James began performing as an Elvis impersonator in 1996. For a time he opened for Rock & Roll Legend, Buddy Knox, (hit song “Party Girl”) and Knox called James “the best Elvis I’ve seen in all my travels.”
Charlie May Tenor Sax Soloist 2003 Snowbird Big Band Tour
A native son of New Orleans, Charlie May cut his musical teeth on Bourbon Street. His father, also a saxophonist, was a good friend of Louis Armstrong, and Charlie counts one of his first musical experiences as sitting on Louis’ knee as a youngster! He gained early national exposure on The Colgate Comedy Hour at the age of 16. He has played with both Al Hirt and Pete Fountain as well as having his own band for many years in Las Vegas Showrooms and Playboy Clubs around the world. After semi retiring in the pacific northwest, Charlie continued to be very much in demand in Jazz Festivals up and down the west coast. Charlie records with Pony Boy Records in Seattle.
Roy Wiegand Trombone Soloist 2003 Snowbird Big Band Tour
Roy was a childhood friend of Charlie May, (see above) and credits Charlie with giving him his first performing job when they we both youngsters in New Orleans.
Roy went on to play lead trombone with The Stan Kenton Orchestra and The Woody Herman Big Band. Now working as a studio musician in LA Roy can be heard in the sound tracts of many Hollywood movies, on television and commercials. He has solo albums recorded with LA to LA Music, and is a frequent soloist in Kenton Alumni Bands. He toured with the Snowbird Orchestra in order to have the opportunity to play with his friend Charlie once again.
Jim Cross Trombone 2002 2003 Snowbird Big BandTours
Jim enlisted in the Army as a trombonist and spent 18 months touring with the Fourth Army Band, backing Vic Damone, in the early 50’s. Upon his discharge, Jim went on the road with the Hal McIntire Orchestra, one of the legacy Big Bands formed by Glenn Miller. (McIntire was Miller’s lead alto player until Miller entered the Armed Forces during the war. Prior to entering the service Miller set McIntire up with his own band, which Miller owned a piece of.) After touring with McIntire, Jim turned down offers to tour with The Woody Herman Band, and with the Kai Winding Orchestra, and entered college on the GI bill where he studied business. Jim spent his career in the insurance industry and upon retirement returned to the trombone.
Barbara Beland Piano 2003 Snowbird Big Band Tour
studied classical piano for 7 years, joined the Musician's Union when she was 14, playing in combo's and big bands. Barbara was a Jazz DJ for KXPR (now KXJZ) in Sacramento and KVMR in Nevada City for about 8 yrs each (in the 80's and early 90's).
Bill West Solo Trumpet 2003 Snowbird Big Band Tour
Played for the NBC affiliate Orchestra in Minneapolis right out of high school, in 1945. Toured with several mid-western regional big bands in the late 40’s. Ultimately when a career in advertising in Los Angeles required all of his attention, Bill put away his trumpet in 1958 and didn’t pick it up again until he retired in 1990. Has now earned some national notoriety performing with The Geritol Hipsters, a seniors Dixieland band in demand across the country. Bill is a regular faculty member of Centrum’s NW Big Band Elderhostel, teaching jazz improvisation.
John Misterly Tenor / Bari Saxes 2003 Snowbird Big Band Tour
John Misterly, Jr. (USAF Ret) was born in Los Angeles, California, attended public schools there until he entered the Army soon after World War II started. He applied for flight training and became a B-29 lead navigator. He also served in Korea and Vietnam, rising to full Colonel in the USAF and retiring in 1978 with over thirty-five years of service. He attended several universities graduating from the University of Southern California. He is also a graduate of the Air War College and Command and Staff School. Misterly is an active member of the Shrine, Scottish Rite and Masonic Order. He is a published author of several books including Over & Under the true story of his adventures being shot down over the south Pacific.
