Hal McIntyre Orchestra, directed by Don Pentleton photo by Marce
Wolverines/Vignola & Raniolo Compaq Big Band Hal McIntyre Orchestra
Hal McIntyre Orchestra directed by Don Pentleton, with Steve Marvin vocals at the last Swing at Sunset at The Vets Inc., in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts August 2nd, 2013
Leader Don Pentleton
Trumpet: Dave Burdett, Dennis Perriccio, Jerry Seeco,
Sax: Tom Ferrante, clarinet/alto sax/flute, Ed Harlow tenor, Sil D’urbano alto,
Paul Elman tenor, Arthur Bakopoulas bari sax
trombone: ?, Steve Piermarini, Leslie Havens bass trombone
Keyboard: John Acaro
String Bass: Stephen Arsenault
Video and More Photos by C. S. Imming
Don Pentleton leads this marvelous band with the actual, original, yellow, dog-eared arrangements of the Hal McIntyre band. “It’s a kick for us to be able to play those wonderful swinging charts and those lovely, lush ballads,” he told Christopher Popa www.bigbandlibrary.com/bigbandnewsoctober2010.html
Tom Ferrante, clarinet, alto sax, flute
The band showcased many other bands, Woody Herman Band’s Days of Wine & Roses, Benny Goodman arrangement of On a Clear Day with Tom Ferrante on clarinet, a wonderful old Hal McIntyre arrangement of I Can’t Believe That Your’re In Love With Me. Don’t You Know I Care? – Miller released it in 1941 and it was always a Big Hit.
Ed Harlow
Ed Harlow featured on tenor sax for Duke’s A Train.
Steve Marvin
Pentleton introduced “The best Sinatra going in the country, Steve Marvin.” Steve is an excellent vocalist with great sense of timing. He makes the songs his own.
Steve Piermarini came up front to conduct the band behind Steve for I’ve Got The World on a String, Billy Daniels That Old Black Magic, an early Basie arrangement that Frank did at the Sands, Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me, the most popular Cole Porter recording I’ve Got You Under My Skin.
The band continued with Duke’s What Am I Here For? Les Brown Love Walked In, with Arthur Bakopoulas’ full flowing bari sax. Paul Elman, powerful sax on When You’re Smiling. (Paul and Don go way back!)
Saxophones, Reeds
Latin tunes are always requested at Ballroom dances. The band obliges Masquerade, with solos by Syl D’Urbano and Tom Ferrante alto sax.
They skipped some songs to play On The Street Where You Live. Moved to Stan Kenton territory especially for Charlie Messier of the Worcester Telegram. Charlie was a friend of Leo Curran, Kenton’s road manager.
Trombones and Trumpets
Steve Marvin returned with Chicago, Sinatra’s My Way, great Acaro piano. Ferrante on flute. New York, New York. It doesn’t get any better than that!
The Glenn Miller Orchestra is based in Boston. Hal McIntyre began in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, when Miller told him he could start his own band – and with Miller’s blessing, that’s just what McIntyre did.
So they closed both this evening and this year’s Swing at Sunset with Glenn Miller’s most famous tune, In The Mood.
Don Pentleton, leader of the Hal McIntyre Orchestra
The Hal McIntyre Orchestra, directed by Don Pentleton, with the original dog-eared charts, will be at TCAN, Natick Center for the Arts, Summer St. Natick MA on September 8th.
Many thanks to Dan Gabel and The American Big Band Preservation Society, WICN, and Vets Inc. for presenting a great series this summer. Hope to see you again next year!!
The Vets – actually Veterans Inc. http://www.veteransinc.org/ provides homes and services for our veterans and their families. “They were there when we needed them. We must be there now that they need us.” Some actually reside here at 59 South St. in Shrewsbury, others at 69 Grove St. Worcester, MA.