The last couple of weeks have been chock full of interesting events for the Inspired Emotions division at BVT.  Let’s start with September 11^th. 

We were happy to team up with Sage Catering for a house party celebrating the marriage of Rafaela & Jonathan at the home of Anne Faulkner Shoemaker (Jonathan’s mother).  The wanted to have yours truly and Swing Easy to play sophisticated swing and jazz tunes to accompany one of the more elegant and swanky affairs I have ever been a part of.  The food was excellent (Sage…need I say more?), the weather was divine, and the family and guests were just so nice and kind that how could we not have just the best time.  In the band we had the legendary Larry McKenna on tenor, Bob Meashey on trumpet, Jim Holton on keys, Steve Beskrone on acoustic bass, and Butch Reed on the skins.  I felt fortunate to be the vocalist fronting this killing unit.  Anne said that she had received “Lots of lovely feedback on your group, the kind of music you played, the respectful level (sound wise) at which you played it!  We all enjoyed it very much and I will be very happy to refer you and use you in the future.”

 Swing Easy was able to bi-locate that evening due to splitting up the personnel.  The other vocalist in Swing Easy is one of the best in the city, the sultry and swinging Joanna Pascale.  She led an ensemble consisting of Tom Lawton on keys (also walking the left hand bass), Dan Monahan on drums, & Twig Smith on guitar.  Eventricity was the planner for this event celebrating the 50^thanniversary of Emma & Harold Starr.  We are always so happy to work with real pros Phyllis Joblonowski and her team that leave no stone unturned when it comes to attention to detail.  The couple named their home Harmony Hall due to their love of music.  Mia was so kind to write me a note afterwards that said, “The music was fabulous, the service as always amazing.  It is always a pleasure to work with the team at BVT.”

 In a third location, Inspired Emotions had several of our wonderful ensembles playing different portions of a the Christina Tivnan and David Youmans wedding at the Valley Green Inn.  For the ceremony, we had the Stringsations duo playing elegant classical music in a rustic garden setting.  At cocktail hour, Pete Smyser, the fabulous jazz guitarist (and music historian) played some of the great American songbook, which I might add included some songs from the groom’s grandfather, the great composer Vincent Youmans.  On a side note, after Pete finished he got a kick talking with Vincent Youmans, Jr. about his dad and his dad’s friends, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and Harold Arlen.  For the reception, the couple wanted a mix of some of the wonderful music of the last 40 to 50 years, but done in a unique style.  They chose vocalist/pianist Nora Whittaker who brought along vocalist/guitarist Christopher Bohn, a bassist, and a percussionist.  They were just the right accoutrement for a dinner party that wanted hip, upbeat music to dine to.

At yet one more location, Dave Roth was pulled in to play cocktail jazz at Chester Valley Golf Club for the club’s Annual Members Tournament Dinner.  He led off the evening and was followed by one of our dance bands, Main Line Affair.  The evening was an excellent mix of elegant and fun.

 The following day, I was slated to play the 60^thanniversary dinner of Ellena Vaganos’ parents at the Newtown Grille.  They requested me to play instrumentally for the cocktail portion and then during dinner I was asked to cull some of the material from the 1940’s vintage of the Frank Sinatra songbook.  I was only too happy to oblige and was especially happy when the happy couple nodded approvingly to the obscure, but beautiful gem “My Love For You.”  The food was sublime, the service top notch, and I will have to return at some point to sample some of both for my wife and I.

 On the Monday night after this weekend I was happy to send out one of our excellent jazz combos for Cephalon's corporate party at the Crowne Plaza King of Prussia. Inside the Independence Ballroom, Paul Sottile on keys, Jason Fraticelli on acoustic bass, & Todd Horton on trumpet were swinging hard and taking no prisoners. Meghan Allen of Meghan Allen Events coordinated the party and said, "Everyone loved Paul and his trio! They were just what we needed for the night! Please send another thanks my way! Thanks to you for your assistance!"

Chester Valley Golf Club was the scene for yet another ceremony and reception on September 18th. Outside in their outdoor Pavilion, Philadelphia Orchestra violinist, Louis Lanza, Jr. was joined by Tom Lawton for a lovely prelude and ceremony. The music was a mix of classic and contemporary with songs ranging from Bach to Billy Joel to The Beatles as well as points in between. Following up for the cocktails and reception were our ever rocking 7 piece, Back2Life. The happy couple and parents of the bride were quite pleased.

At the same, The Stringsations Trio was getting ready to perform at a ceremony at The Water Works Restaurant. The view of the river and Boathouse Row is unmatched as was the weather. For dining and dancing, The City Rhythm Orchestra brought a little Sinatra, some Motown, some 70's, as well as a healthy dose of what has been getting played the last 20 years on the radio. I'm sure that Sophia took good care of everyone on the food end (it is quite excellent there).

Till next time...

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