On Mardi Gras, Tuesday, March 4 at 7:00 PM, Trinity Lutheran Church is thrilled to again host the Let’s Dance big band as they present “Jazzin’ Up Mardi Gras!”
Charlie Randazzo, musical director of the band and David Himes, saxophonist, both are members of the musically-gifted congregation. The concert is free and open to the public. There will be a free will offering to help fund Refresh Berks, a new nonprofit working to bring a mobile shower trailer to Berks County. Parking for the concert is available on our secure lot, located at 121 North 5th Street, Reading - just steps from our building.
The Let’s Dance 17-piece band, formed in 2002, is dedicated to keeping the art of the jazz big band alive in Berks County. Consisting of twenty members with the basic 5-4-4-4 instrumentation, the band features two outstanding vocalists, Mary McCormick-Archutowski and Bill Cambardella.
The band has played for a variety of venues, including Berks County’s Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s World War II Weekend, county summer concert series, Berks County Jazz Fest, weddings, dances, civic events, and private affairs. This talented band consists of local musicians, diverse in age and occupation, and who enjoy playing big band music as an avocation.
Mr. Randazzo shares, “This idea came about as a collaboration with Pastor Hans, David Himes, Karen Eddinger and me. After our very successful Christmas Concert in 2023 and fundraiser for the Salvation Army, we wanted to continue promoting the big band art form, and the Mardis Gras idea came to fruition. I grew up listening to and admiring big band music and jazz and always loved playing this style of music since first learning the trumpet. It is my desire to continue to promote the big band style of music and the four of us decided to “Jazz It Up” at Mardi Gras and at the same time raise some money for charity and the community.”
Please join us and invite friends to enjoy what will be an ideal way to “Jazz It Up” in March and help fund a worthy cause.