Wild bunch heats up arts center> Big band alumni play favorites for jazz lovers

The annual big band presentation is one of the most popular and lively concerts of the season at the Maine Center for the Arts. Last night, the Battle of the Big Bands, a collection of musicians playing the blockbuster standards from the 1940s, was no exception. For nearly three hours, the Big Band Alumni Orchestra shot a full round of jazz tunes that hit home with a concert hall filled with jazz lovers.

The tribute to four big band-era men of music began with a set arranged originally by band leader Tommy Dorsey. Conducted by virtuoso trombonist Bill Tole, whom some may recognize from his portrayal of Dorsey in the 1977 film “New York, New York,” the 13-piece orchestra played “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You,” “Song of India,” “Swanee River” and the theme song from “New York, New York.” Tole’s exquisite rendition of “Dream,” with rhythm backup, switched the mood to mellow before the set closed with more of a flourish.

String of Pearls, a trio of singers indebted to The Pied Pipers and The Modernaires, joined the orchestra for stylish vocals. Although the words were too often difficult to understand because of a wavering balance of volume, singers Perry Hart, Tracy Royce and Warren Adams brought the right mood to the stage with their three-part harmony and synchronized hand choreography. String of Pearls sang with each set and performed such favorites as “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Sunny Side of the Street.”

The arrangements of Harry James were revived by savvy trumpet man Fred Radke, a veteran of James’ band. “Sleepy Lagoon,” “Undecided” and “The Two O’Clock Jump” proved Radke and the other musicians to be a wild bunch.

Barney Liddell, who played trombone for the Lawrence Welk Orchestra for 34 years, led the set on Glenn Miller and offered “String of Pearls,” “American Patrol” and “In the Mood.” Clarinetist Henry Cuesta, also a veteran of Welk’s orchestra, took over for a final, raucous set of music played in the style of Benny Goodman.

The professional credits and experience reported by the orchestra members during a line of introductions seemed to include every big-band name in history — not surprising given the caliber of cool-cat music performed by the group. Of particular note were saxophonist Arno Marsh for his smooth solos, dogged bassist Chris Clark, cruising pianist Bill Chelf, and hotshot trumpet player Tony Filippone. Irv Kluger, who was part drummer, part comedian, had such fluidity that he was like a wave rushing over the drum set, and 81-year-old Danny Little, on trumpet, was spritely — though never as entertaining as when he good-humoredly forgot his lines during his introduction.