THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 16, 1996 TAG: 9605150115
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
PLAAAY BAAALL!
First, though, play Dixieland.
That is the happy combination at Harbor Park. Before the Norfolk Tides come onto the field, fans get 45 minutes of Dixieland music by The Tomcats.
If you are not into baseball and do not want to stray from home base, you can catch The Tomcats Tuesday at Suffolk Museum.
After the Suffolk Art League's annual Open Members Show, which begins at 5:30, the musicians will perform in the courtyard, weather permitting. Showtime is 7 p.m., and you get a full 90 minutes.
``A friend told me the baseball team was looking for entertainment at the ball park,'' said David Starkey, the group's director, leader and saxophonist. ``I knew one thing would work - the Dixieland thing.''
It has worked for three seasons. The Tomcats do their toe-tapping thing at the concourse when the fans go marching in.
``We have a quote we use: `Nobody does it like Dixieland','' Starkey said. ``Young and old, they love our happy, light music.''
That includes the younger children who particularly enjoy the Dixie Disney presentations.
Starkey, who has a degree in music education from James Madison University, is usually surrounded by children. He teaches music in Chesapeake schools.
Before that, he was with a Navy unit band that started a Dixieland group.
``After I got out of the service, I played with several bands, including the Freddie Lee Orchestra in Roanoke,'' Starkey said. ``We backed people like Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Jackie Mason and Jerry Murad's Harmonicats.''
These days, teaching and The Tomcats keep him busy, but there's more. He also performs with Swing Shift, a five-piece group that plays big band music.
``I get to play a lot of different styles. I have a lot of fun with Dixieland. That's the least stressful,'' Starkey said. ``I'm enjoying life.''
He would enjoy it even more if this dream came true: ``It's the ultimate. I'd like to play in New Orleans.''
He plays such New Orleans favorites as ``When the Saints Go Marching In'' ``South Rampart Street Parade'' and ``Just A Closer Walk With Thee.''
Starkey's nonmusical interests include sailing on his catamaran, snow skiing, photography and gardening.
He and his wife, Janis, have two grown children and four grandchildren.
The Tomcats got the name ``because musicians used to be called cool cats,'' he said. ``Also, one of the guys in the band is Tom, but the drummer came up with the name.''
The drummer is Mike Hawkins from Newport News. Tom is Mr. Graper of Virginia Beach, also hometown for trombonist Chuck Sayle. The group's low register guy is tubist Dru Stowe.
He and Sayle also perform as members of ``Beach Bones,'' a trombone quartet - plus tuba - that performed last year at Suffolk Museum.
Tuesday, you can stroll among the art, then relax with The Tomcats. ILLUSTRATION: The Tomcats will give a free performance of their
Dixieland-style music at the Suffolk Museum Tuesday evening.
AT A GLANCE
What: The Tomcats
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday. Suffolk Art League Open Members Show, 5:30
p.m.
Where: Suffolk Museum, 118 Bosley Ave.
Cost: Both free.
Call: 925-6311.
[For a copy of the INFOLINE box, see microfilm.]
by CNB