Written by Arianna Hurst
Swinging back into the 1930s and ‘40s, the Harding University Jazz Band presented “Music of the Greatest Generation,” its third radio show featuring guest performers.The group will perform in the Searcy High School Auditorium Nov. 12 at 7 p.m., with all proceeds benefitting the Humane Society of Searcy.John Hadraba hosted the show accompanied by Hot Springs singer Shirley Chauvin and Chicago natives trumpeter Doug Scharf and singer Bob Duda. The concert also included several Big Band swing music numbers by the Harding Jazz Band, led by director Dr. Warren Casey.”Doug Scharf is a first-call lead trumpet player in Chicago for jazz; he’s just a stellar player,” said Casey, who was raised in the heart of jazz country, New Orleans..While this is the third year the show will take place — the others were in 2006 and 2008 — this year’s profits for the Humane Society have trumped the previous figures so far, Casey said.”The band was looking for some kind of way to connect with the community,” he said.Casey said he wanted to provide a unique and local service, and Hadraba gave him the idea of supporting the Humane Society. Hadraba offered to pay for the expenses while Casey agreed to showcase his band’s talent.One of the band’s premiere segments will take on a military persona to produce a patriotic playlist: “Armed Forces Medley,” which will honor American troops, past and present, Casey said.”We ask each of the service members from all five branches that when they hear the song that represents their branch to stand up and there’s this sense of pride and respect and even a kind of thank-you, if you will,” Casey said.Casey said he hopes that students born in the late ‘80s and ‘90s develop an appreciation and a broader listening palate for different types of music. HE said the show is intended to appeal to all ages and will feature both classic and contemporary jazz, and he said attendees will not be disappointed.”There’s electricity and excitement when somebody in the band has a good solo or the singers are really on top of their game and the audience is involved in what’s going on; there’s that communication, and it’s electrifying,” Casey said.
