Another Big Band Christmas at the Turnage Theater | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

    After a tremendous 2009 Washington debut, The Tar River Swing Band will be returning for its second performance of "It's a Big Band Christmas" at the recently revitalized Turnage Theater in Downtown Washington on Friday, Dec. 17th at 8:00 PM.

    At the helm of the Tar River Swing Band will be Big Band veteran John Wacker who recently took over as director. Dr. Wacker, an associate professor of percussion at East Carolina University School of Music, brings years of big band experience with him as a house drummer/percussionist for the MGM Grand and Harrah's casinos In Nevada. For 10 years he backed Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Rosemary Clooney, Debbie Reynolds and many other Big Band greats. Says Wacker: "Playing with the Tar River Swing Band gives me an opportunity to continue playing the great big band music that I fell in love with back in Nevada."

    The Big Band Christmas show in the Turnage Theater gives the band an opportunity to bring many of the great holiday songs set in the swinging big band style to the Washington audience. Classic Christmas songs, along with favorite Christmas Carols and other popular seasonal songs will be offered for the audience's toe tapping enjoyment. "When we appeared last year, many in the audience were not sure what to expect, but they were soon clapping, tapping and swaying in their seats in time with the music. It was really fun to see" said Wacker. "The revitalized Turnage Theater is such a beautiful venue, it is a natural place to hold a concert of this style."

    "These concerts are always very well received." says Wacker, "primarily because this is music that we all grew up with, so we all know the songs. Then, to hear them performed in a joyous, swinging way, as the big band provides, is fun for all."

    The 2010 program will be a bit different from last year's in an attempt to satisfy some requests from last year's audience. "The 2009 audience loved the Christmas songs, but asked for a few of the more 'classic' swing band pieces. We have augmented our program with a couple of surprises which we think the audience will really enjoy" says Dr. Wacker.

    The Tar River Swing Band has been performing concerts and providing music for private affairs around the Eastern North Carolina area for 12 years. "Many people think that the big bands went away after the swing era," Wacker adds, "but contemporary artists such as Michael Buble, Rod Stewart and Harry Connick Jr. are selling millions of albums of standards performed in the big band style. December 17th at the Turnage Theater will be a great opportunity for jazz lovers in the Washington area to come out and hear this exciting music live."

    Tickets for this event are $15 downstairs and in the mezzanine, and $10 in the balcony. To purchase tickets, call (252) 975-1191, or visit the box office at 150 West Main St., Washington between 10-4 Monday through Friday. Or, purchase your tickets any time on line at turnagetheater.com with a Visa or MasterCard.

    For More Information, Contact: Katherine Buchholz (252) 975-1191