Big Band Weddings
The Ted Knight Big Band played for an elegant wedding held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club.
The band included three trumpets, three trombones, four saxes, keyboard, bass, drums, Ted, and vocalists Evelyn Russell and Kevin Campfield, making sixteen pieces in all.
The
band sounded smooth as silk during the dinner set, playing songs like
Mancini's Dreamsville and Mr. Lucky.
Evelyn
sang Just the Way You Are. Kevin did Sinatra's Come Fly
With Me and Gershwin's Love Is Here to Stay. Click images
to enlarge.
When Ted sang I Just Called to Say I Love You, a special
request from the bride, Evelyn and Kevin chimed in for three-part
harmony.
The band also played some hot jazz. Basie's Sweet Georgia Brown and Satin Doll sounded especially sweet.
Road trip
The big band traveled to the Tampa area to play for a wedding at Saddlebrook Resort. Originally the bride and groom were considering one of Ted's smaller groups, but a relative in Chicago persuaded them to go for the real deal.
The resulting 19-piece powerhouse included four trumpets, three trombones, four saxes, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, and three vocalists in addition to Ted.
Requests
from the bride and groom included real jazz like Chelsea Bridge
and Blue Trane, and several guests told Ted they appreciated
the sophisticated music.
The
request list also covered Motown and R&B. With
Tom Willis (left) and Kenny
Seabrook (right) as Sam and Dave, Soul Man never sounded
better. Tom's version of My Girl was a hit as well.
Evelyn Russell took the lead with backup from the two men on several numbers. Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Son of a Preacher Man sounded great, and the dance floor action was intense.
Ted, the singers, the trumpets, and guitarist Eugene Grey made the trip from the east coast of Florida, and the rest of the band came from the Tampa area.
For
example, drummer Jean Bolduc
worked with Ted until he moved from Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa in 2000, and
he was dynamite on the gig. Ted's networking paid off, with outstanding
musicians on keyboard, bass, and saxophones, and one of the best
trombone sections he's ever assembled.