Led by baritone saxophonist Carol Sudhalter, the Astoria Big Band presents the music of Queens' greats Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Big Nick Nicholas, Jimmy Heath and more at Flushing Town Hall on Friday, November 17. Two prominent vocalists and the swing dance group 'Big Apple Lindy Hoppers' bring zest, color, and movement to this already engaging performance.
Carol's 17-piece Astoria Big Band presents their fascinating Memories of Jazz in Queens concert, originally based on tales told by the late bassist Leonard Gaskin, who played with icons such as
Louis Armstrong All-Stars and Big Nick Nicholas. Gaskin, who lived for many years in Jamaica, Queens, worked closely with Sudhalter and the Astoria Big Band.
The concert includes selections immortalized by Queens Jazz legends
Clark Terry,
Jimmy Heath,
Dizzy Gillespie,
Louis Armstrong, Jutta Hipp, Big Nick Nicholas, Sarah McLawler, and more. Arrangements are written by band members including Chris Rinaman and the late Charlie Camilleri, and by Queens greats such as
Count Basie.
Carol Sudhalter, who plays flute, baritone sax, and tenor sax, has performed at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola (Lincoln Center), Trumpet's, Birdland, Iridium, JVC Jazz Festival; and in major clubs and festivals in U.K., Italy and Switzerland including Villa Celimontana and JazzAscona. She founded the Astoria Big Band in 1986 and continues to lead the band. The band has played in a variety of venues including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. They also were the first to play at the Forest Park Carousel.
"I am so excited to be presenting our material on some of the legendary Queens-based jazz names to an audience who remembers much of the history and knew some of the artists," says Sudhalter. "Especially at Flushing Town Hall, which has been and still is a hub of jazz in Queens!"
Tickets are $16/$10 for Members and Students. Please visit
www.flushingtownhall.org for more information.
Flushing Town Hall is accessible by car, bus, train and foot - located a short distance from the 7 train - at
137-35 Northern Blvd., in Flushing, Queens.
This season, Flushing Town Hall is opening its doors to teenagers - for FREE. Under the "Teen Access Program", all 13- to 19-year-old boys and girls (whether a member or not) will be welcomed to attend any performance for free. The program is designed to appeal to students and help foster a greater love in the arts and culture.
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