Seniors enjoy a variety of music. But because most were born during the early 20's and 30's, they no doubt enjoy listening to the sounds of the Big Band Era. Such as Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Duke Ellington and many more. Also Broadway musicals and hits; and a variety of marvelous showtunes
Songs like: Chattanooga Choo Choo, Sentimental Journey, Stardust, It Had To Be You, Tangerine, Night and Day, and 100's more ... Showtunes from Oklahoma, South Pacific, Showboat, State Fair, Pal Joey, Stormy River, My Fair Lady, The King And I, The Phantom of the Opera and more. Written by songwriters such as Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Sammy Kahn, Dorothy Fields, Rogers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Lowe, and others.
Artist such as Helen O'Connell, Frank Sinatra, Vaughn Monroe, Bob Eberly, Dick Haimes, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Gordon McCray, Julie Andrews, Lena Horne and an array of extraordinary singers, vocalists and performers.
I also have a very good repoitre and knowledge of your favorite Hawaiian music as well: mainly the "Don Ho" style of songs, such as: Tiny Bubbles, Pearly Shells, Days of My Youth, Little Grass Shack, Huki Lau Song, Lovely Hula Hands, Hawaiian Wedding Song ... and many other tourist and local favorites. I am from the the Big Island of Hawaii -- Kona!
My goal is to present the songs in a very personal way ... up close, with acoustical guitar and voice: LIVE, with much zeal and expression ... to bring back that warm, good feeling of those wonderful, nostalgic days of old. Of the Big Band, of Radio, of dancing to music played by the best bands and orchestras of the day.
My goal, also is to revisit those very special days through the magic of "Musically Reminiscing through Time" -- sort of like a musical time machine. I grew up in the 50's and 60's, and believe me when I hear a song played today on the "oldies" radio station, it instantly takes me back to that moment of time: of what we were doing, of what we wore, of how we felt (our moods), and who we love ... and hated.
My music is fun, it's lively, it's sentimental, it's magnificent, and at times -- gentle and warm.
I have been entertaining the Senior population for over 28 years. About as long as I have worked in the field as a Seniors Program College Instructor, also Recreational Coordinator and Director for various Senior Communities (Independent, Assisted, Rehab, and Skilled Nursing levels; as well as Alzheimer and Memory Care).
I am also available for Older Adults dinner parties and weddings that prefer the Big Band classics (40's and 50's music, showtunes and Gospels).
These are the places that I have performed and am presently performing: The Oaks of Petaluma,, Burbank Heights of Sebastopol, Mirabel Lodge of Forestville, Springlake Village of Santa Rosa, Lodge at Paulin Creek of Santa Rosa, Sonoma Health Care of Sonoma, Primrose of Santa Rosa, Berkshire Care Center of Napa, Palm Gardens of Woodland, Ca.; Piners Care Center Napa, Ca.; The Meadows of NapaValley; Golden Living Care Center, Napa, Ca.; and more.
Music has a way of bringing people together, no matter what age. It is what binds all nationalities and countries ... The Big Band era sound was worldwide, and brought the world together during a very trying, difficult time of World War II. And I hope the songs that I bring to our Seniors are meaningful and fulfilling ... as they have beared the brunt of who we are today.
To those Nostalgic, Wonderful, Music and Melodies of Old!
Contact me at: bluesongbird8@aol.com for information and inquiries.
Affiliations: Sant Rosa Junior College Music Instructor, Reverend and founder of TouchedbyGodchurch.com, California Firefighters Association, West Coast Activity Professionals, National Association of Activity Professionals, National Fire Investigators Association, San Francisco-Bay Area Hawaiian Musicians, Vietnam Security Police-Dog Handlers Association, and you can find me on Facebook.com ... Thank you!
