
DATE: Sunday, April 6, 1997                 TAG: 9704080527

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Music review

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   65 lines

BIG BAND MEMORIES COME BACK TO LIFE WITH AN AFTERNOON CONCERT

The memories, for the over-50 age groups, were ballrooms with plenty of room to have a ball, and non-screaming disc jockeys who announced each swingin' song.

New Yorkers of the '30s and '40s have special memories of the Capitol and Strand theaters, and the best of 'em: the Paramount.

With two bits and a faked ``Frankie-is-sick'' phone call to school, you were ready for a weekday movie, newsreel, coming attractions, short subject and then - what you really came for - the music.

You heard it first - the theme song of your favorite orchestra. Then, you saw that big band as it came up from the pit. You thoroughly enjoyed the band - no messages, no songs about violence or sex, just the best pure Americana music. You were young and enthusiastic - you never expected all that fun to become just a memory.

The memories came alive Friday at Chrysler Hall when the Virginia Symphony and The Roy Muth Big Band got together for a salute to the eras that brought us the music of the Dorseys, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, etc.

With music like that, it had to be - and it was - an outstanding night of entertainment. Walter Noona, conducting the symphony orchestra, made it even more outstanding.

He obviously enjoyed himself; he obviously knows and loves big band music.

Noona told us the Glenn Miller story - and the stories behind Ellington, the Dorseys, Shaw, et al.

The most fun was watching him have fun putting the orchestra through its paces. He was flashy and tasteful - quite a combination.

The night's highlight was Noona's at-the-piano tribute to Ellington. He referred to him as ``the most outstanding and prolific big band composer,'' then played his favorite Ellington composition, ``Satin Doll.''

The Noona arrangement undoubtedly had the Duke, up there on Cloud 9, applauding.

The applause Friday was enthusiastic, but only 618 people showed up to do the applauding. Hopefully, more will visit the Pavilion today. If you love big band music - you've just gotta.

A lot of older people would have enjoyed the concert, but so many of them have no way of getting to Chrysler. They would enjoy the Virginia Symphony, and The Roy Muth Big Band, which played on its own and with the orchestra.

There was a big hand for the big band, particularly its brass section, and especially its version of ``Things Ain't What They Used to Be.'' Noona noted that the title fits the times.

A lot of time was devoted to ``Moonlight Serenade,'' which was played three times. Miller had so many outstanding swing tunes, but it is this beauty that stays with you.

``I'm Getting Sentimental Over You,'' ``Flyin' Home,'' ``Begin the Beguine,'' and ``S'Wonderful'' - were wonderful.

The latter was arranged by Portsmouth's pride and joy, Tommy Newsom.

The outstanding evening closed when Noona took the baton for the last time and said, ``We'd like to leave you `In the Mood.' ''

ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

CONCERT REVIEW

``Big Band Salute'' with the Virginia Symphony, The Roy Muth

Big Band, Friday and Saturday at Chrysler Hall.

Another performance is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today at the

Pavilion Theatre.