Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz

“Founded in 2004, the Prohibition Orchestra of Chicago is an active 10-piece 1920s-style hot dance band. We are a 10-piece band dedicated to playing the music of the early big band era. All of our arrangements were published from 1923 to 1934. It's the real authentic sound, and we're the only Chicago-area band currently playing in this style” says Banjoist Gus Friedlander , founder of the Prohibition Orchestra. The Prohibition Orchestra is part of a recreationist movement spearheaded by New York bandleader Vince Giordano and practiced most zealously and scrupulously in Europe. Gus plays four- and five-string banjos, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, fiddle and bass, has played with the Swing Shift Orchestra and also plays traditional Irish music Band members include charter lead trumpeter and vocalist Peter Bartels, a veteran of various Dixieland and jobbing bands, and Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra. By day he teaches music in the Chicago Public Schools. Second trumpet man Nick Drozdoff will be replaced for this concert by another local trumpet player. Trombonist Dan "Fuzzbone" Sniderman is a veteran of the Big Swing, the Swing Shift Orchestra, The Déjà Vu Big Band, and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. His bold, punchy style has led to a reputation as "Chicago's Most Dangerous Trombonist"! Lead alto saxophonist Eric Koppa, a veteran (on tenor saxophone) of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, has also played in the Swing Shift Orchestra. Like Peter Bartels and Dan Sniderman, Eric is a charter member of the Prohibition Orchestra. Tenor saxophonist and vocalist Juli Wood is one of Chicago's busiest and most up-and coming jazzwomen. ( www.juliwoodsax.com) Alto saxophonist and vocalist Fernando "Fred" Garcia is a veteran of the latter-day Guy Lombardo Orchestra. Pianist Peter Rumbold, a native of Perth, Australia, has been playing dixieland for more than fifty years and holds a Ph.D. in Composition from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Tuba player Gary Schepers is well-known around Chicago and is one of the city's most in-demand live sound engineers. Drummer Tim Mulvenna has a long resume includes work with jazz musicians including the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. (www.timmulvenna.com) Vocalist Gail Becker is part of the close-harmony trio 3Girls3, and has worked with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and in numerous musical theater productions around Chicago and in Madison, Wisconsin. She has appeared in most of Chicago's cabarets and now sings with the Wisconsin Chamber Choir, and teaches voice. (See www.gailbeckertalent.com)

Gus Friedlander, leader & banjo

Peter Bartels, trumpet Dan Sniderman, trombone Eric Koppa, alto sax, Juli Wood, tenor sax

Fernando Garcia, alto sax

Peter Rumbold, piano

Gary Schepers, tuba Tim Mulvenna, drummer Gail Becker, vocalist

May 20, 2012

Prohibition Orchestra of Chicago