The Carolinians Senior Jazz Band Jammed at the Five Forks Branch Library on Friday
- Charles Reams
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 8
The 18-member Carolinians Senior Jazz Band performed Friday at the Five Forks Library in Greenville.
Seats were free, and there was plenty of fun for all. The band showcased a lone female vocalist, Kaye Roze, and a conductor, Fred Hall, who took the ensemble through its paces.
The all-black casual garments, pants, and shirts contrasted with a sea of gray and silver hair. The glistering brass horns and sax accentuated the white music stands with a large red a turn.
Jazz musicians and crooners take pardonable pride in their attire, grooming, and accessories.
How fitting that the vocalist is the proverbial lady in red. That makes her easy to pick out of the band.
The soundcheck and a good tune-up are part of the show. This important function must not be confused with blowing out the cobwebs.
But given a long enough runway, they eventually became airborne, and boy, did they soar.
The “Bandstand Boogie” is a danceable number. Some will remember that this was the theme song for American Bandstand. Dick Clark hosted the daily TV show from 1956 to 1989. The song was composed by Charles Albertine.
The Carolinians Jazz Band started 40 years ago, died out, and was resurrected by Ron Hamilton in 2013. Some of the current members have been with the band since.
The Carolinians rehearse Tuesdays at Senior Action on 3715 E. North St., Greenville.
“All of Me,” is fondly remembered, written by Marty Sampton. What a nostalgic stroll down memory lane.
The “Romance in the Dark” by Hoagy Carmichael release also included “The Nearness of You” with the lyrics written by Ned Washington.
“Queen Bee” has been written in a number of renditions. It is difficult to know for sure who wrote the original piece.
Irving Berlin wrote “How Deep Is the Ocean.”
Most of the members of the band have served in the armed services. The band played a medley of songs from all branches of the US military.
“Moonlight Serenade” has been intimately associated with the great Duke Ellington, although he did not write it. Glenn Miller wrote it in 1944.
Duke Ellington also wrote “Strove’s Place.” The drum, keyboard, sax, and trumpet rolled along like thunder, rocking the place.
Kay Rose made “More Than You’ll Ever Know” famous.
Duke Ellington wrote “Mood Indigo.”
Bobby Hebb wrote “Sunny” after the death of a relative, and he needed to lighten up his mood. Many will remember this song even if they did not know the tragic circumstances that inspired it.
Few may remember the song called “Zoot Suit Riot.” But we have all seen pictures of baggy suits with long tails and wide lapels. A series of racial riots occurred in LA, California, in 1943 and inspired this song.
How amazing that music, well performed, can take an audience back through time and bring them back again. What a pleasant afternoon spent at a library without so much as cracking a book even once.
Must needs to be said about the wonderfully modern and spacious Five Forks Branch Library.
The Greenville County Five Forks Branch Library was designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. They partnered with Margaret Sullivan Studio for the interior design, specifically the active learning spaces for youth and teens, according to Margaret Sullivan Studio. The library is a 28,000 square foot facility.
The least I can do, next time there, is to crack a book or two.
