The Band in Demand


 

 

 

 

Swing * Jazz * Big Band * Western * Latin * Salsa * Rock * Standards
 

Highlights

2008

 

  • Wow! What a year it's been. Laurel Cawley and Dennis started working together last Valentine's Day at the Yakima Elks Club in Selah and celebrated their first year together on Valentine's Day this year to a sold-out Yakima Country Club dinner/dance.
     

  • June 7 - Dennis and Laurel at Plaza Socievole Winery in Yakima

  • June 6 - Cascade Winery in Yakima

  • May 27 - American Cancer society Fund-raiser at Cascade Winery

  • May 23 - Masset Winery in Yakima

  • May 18 - Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan (For the Wash. State Medical Association)

  • May 17 - Heritage University Graduation (an event the Big Band has played for the last 15 years)

  • May 16 - The Trio with Bob Soost on saxophone at Coasters Seafood in Entiat

  • May 9 and 10 - Bon Vinos Bistro & Bakery, in Prosser

  • May 3 - 2008 Spring Fling at the Yakima Elks Club

  • May 2 - Cascade Winery in Yakima

  • April 30 and 25 - Pizzeria Venti in Prosser

    Note from Dennis

    We played so many different venues in one short year and everything from duo, trio and quartet to Big Band. In between the weekly downtown gig, there were weddings, business parties, birthdays, a Big Band dance fund raiser for the Soroptomists, Seasons Music Performance Hall (also featuring a great young group of acrobatic swing dancers), and the first annual "Spring Fling" dinner dance for the First Presbyterian family ministry organization (this year's dinner dance is May 3 at the Yakima Elks in Selah). Also, the Big Band played the Heritage University graduation for the last 20 or so years, and this year we made it even nicer with Laurel adding her voice.

    As an added bonus, Laurel and I have started writing original songs - and song "Just You, Just Me" will be featured on our first CD. Laurel decided to return to Central Washington University this year to finish her music degree, so production began in March on the CD.

    My oldest son, Daniel, continues to run sound for the Big Band gigs, and he is still front-of-house manager for the Central Saloon, Seattle's oldest saloon. He also works at Staging Techniques Inc. in Seattle.
     

2007

 

  • A special highlight for Dennis personally was playing for the wedding of his good friend Melinda Barret. No only did he perform special music with Laurel and the Big Band, but his twin brother Dave (Mr. Awsesome Sax Man) flew in from L.A. and rocked all night with the group. They played everything from Lawrence Welk "Bubbles" to Michael Buble, funk, country - anything anyone wanted!
     

  • The Holidays brought Catholic charity banquets, a night at Al and Pat DeAtley's, and playing for the Medical Associates of Yakima.
     

  • Other fun venues this year: Three 80th birthday parties, a summer Sunday afternoon at Whistlin Jack's Lodge, a winery in Chelan, a Scenic Drive wedding for an L.A. couple, the Yakima Sports Center, the annual fund raiser for the Yakima Valley Museum and a wild 25th wedding anniversary filled with 50's and 60's music. Laurel and Dennis even played at the funeral of a very dear friend, Al Bell. "We did it 'His Way,'" says Dennis, "with a special rendition of 'Just a Closer Walk With Thee.'"
     

  • In April, the Big Band ushered in gorgeous weather at the Spring Fling, where Dennis dazzled guests with great swing tunes as they danced away from frost into sunshine.
     

  • In June, Wapato Point Cellars showcased Dennis with saxophonist Bob Soost, first lead sax with the Big Band when it started 10 years ago. Dennis paired up again with Soost at the Chelan Winery.
     

  • The band and Dennis and Laurel created heat waves the summer with a nonstop schedule playing wineries, weddings and retirement parties.
     

  • In October, the Big Band kept dancers on their toes when the band played and sang at The Masquerade Ball hosted by Soroptimist International of Yakima. More than 80 attended the fundraiser, which benefited the YWCA's new Family Crisis Center.