Big band a big deal at Mt. Airy Train Station

By ED MAHON

Buddy Rich, an American jazz drum virtuoso who accompanied major big bands before forming his own popular big band in the 1960s, played the song “Keep the Customer Satisfied,” originally composed by Paul Simon.  At the Mt. Airy Train Station, the one-year-old 19-member SDH (“So Damned Hot”) Big Band will play a variety of music—salsa, swings, blues, contemporary jazz, ballads, and fusion—to keep the customer satisfied.  

And as an added bonus for this concert, the customer doesn’t have to pay anything for this free concert at Gowen Avenue and Devon Street on Thursday, August 5, from 7-9 p.m.  

SDH Big Band members come from Mt. Airy and other parts of the Philadelphia area. The band members, whose ages range from 15 to 22, also hail from various Philadelphia colleges, universities and high schools, including current and former students at La Salle College High School, where the band also practices two nights a week, two hours each time. Why on earth would a group of young people want to play music that was popular 40 years before they were born? “This is the kind of music we learned to play in our high school bands, and we all liked it,” they explained.

Mt. Airy trombone player Philip Davis graduated from La Salle High, and one of the band’s trumpet players, Samantha (“Sam”) Ciccimaro, is a student at La Salle University, whose father, Joe, is the music director at La Salle High.  Phil is now going into his second year at the University of the Arts in center city, where he majors in music (the trombone) and minors in music education.

Having such a large band allows many people to be involved since a big band typically needs five saxophone players—two altos, two tenors and one baritone—as well as four trombones, four trumpets, guitar, base, drums and keyboard.

“It’s hard to organize so many people,” said Sam, 21, “and If we can’t have a full section, we can’t do the music.”

This difficulty is compounded by the different jobs, with different hours that the band members work. Another difficulty is finding venues willing to pay and accommodate such a large group.

“So far all of our gigs have been played outdoors,” added Phil.

How on earth did the band begin? “A roommate and I decided we wanted to play in the summer, and she talked to some of her friends, who talked to some of their friends,” said Sam.

“And it just grew,” said Phillip. “It blossomed.”

The group practiced during the summer and winter breaks, but didn’t have their first show until earlier this summer at St. John Bosco’s Church Carnival in Warminster, Bucks County. Despite the fact that it rained during the carnival, the band played on — for three hours. 

All the practice has paid off. And despite the many challenges, Phil enjoys playing in a big band because of the varying dynamics. “With a big band you can go from really soft to really loud, said Phil

 “It can really make you feel something.”  

Sam and Phil both enjoy listening to jazz.  Sam’s favorite trombone player is Maynard Ferguson, but she’s also a fan of Buddy Rich even though he plays the drum.  Phil likes Curtis Fuller and J. J. Johnson, who also play the trombone.

The diversity of their music will be displayed at the Mt. Airy Train Station when they play “Every Summer Night,” “Keep the Customer Satisfied,” “Oh Danny Boy,” “Sing, Sang, Sung,” “In a Mellow Tone,” “Laura,” But Beautiful,” “C.J. Blues,” “A Little Minot Booze,” “Dazzle” and other tunes.

The band usually doesn’t play for free, but they are hoping for some publicity by playing for nothing at the Mt. Airy Train Station. The free concert series is organized by Greg Williams, owner of Walk a Crooked Mile Books, the area’s largest used bookstore, which is located in the train station.

Williams has owned the bookstore, which also sells coffee, for seven years. He’s also a school teacher at Springside, where he works four days a week and teaches Environment Education Science to pre-K children. Williams has organized the concerts for three years.  “I’ve always been interested in the shop being not only a book store, but a community center,” he said.

“It gives people a chance to chat with each other on a summer evening.  Sometimes the bands receive over $100 in donations,” Williams said, and it also helps his business. “It works for everybody.”

A large variety of bands, from jazz to folk, from heavy metal to classical, have played. The audiences are sometimes as large as 80 or 100 people. Williams has also used the concerts as a fundraiser for Jenks school. He advertises by word of mouth, flyers and e-mail.  To be put on the mailing list, contact him at wacmbook@aol.com.

Usually the bands play two 45-minute sets.  Weaver’s Way Co-op serves free drinks and sells picnic snacks. Williams said they usually host a concert once a week.  Many kids and dogs are present at the informal event.

The SDH arranged this gig thanks to a connection between Williams and Phil.  “I work at the Night Kitchen Bakery, and he (Williams) comes in to buy little snacks for his store.”

The rain date for Thursday’s concert is Friday August 6, 7-9 p.m. For more information, call 215-242-0854.