Continuing the Starring at Staring series, The Eden Prairie Community Band opened the Sunday night, July 25th concert at Staring Lake Amphitheatre with “That’s Entertainment.”
In turn, dressed in white shirts and black shorts, the band did indeed entertain with a tour of music from around the world.
They played “Jazz Suite: Waltz No. 2” by Dmitri Shostakovitch; “Danny Boy” from Ireland; Chuck Mangione’s “Children of Sanchez;” a tune called “Ballet Open” from France.
The band ended with rock and roll from the American Bandstand era. Midway through the musical tour, the listeners were challenged to name all the songs in a musical medley, with director Tom Muehlbauer teasing that anyone who could do so would win a car.
After a brief intermission, Rob Estrine, director of the Jazz on the Prairie Big Band, opened the second half of the evening with “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be” and “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” by Duke Ellington.
The band followed with Count Basie’s “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and “Sweet Georgia Brown.”
Throughout, individual soloists – alto saxophone, trumpet, piano, guitar and trombone – won the audience’s applause. The concert ended with “Gonna Fly Now” from the movie “Rocky” and Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.”
Smooth, cool jazz on a summer evening in Eden Prairie.
Starring at Staring series continues with People Fest
The series continues on Thursday, July 29th at 7:00 pm with Kalpulli Ketzal/Coatllicue.
On Friday July 30th at 6:00 pm the Native Pride Dancers perform.
And, on Sunday August 1st Snoti, a Liberian musician-songwriter whose music combines R&B and Afropop takes the stage.
Check the EPLN calendar for more details on these and other events.