Stardust Big Band concert at Olympic Theatre Arts Center

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Stardust Big Band concert at Olympic theatre Arts Center on November 7th

The Stardust Big Band will be performing a concert at Olympic Theatre Arts Center in Sequim, Washington at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 7, 2021.  Founded in 1990, Stardust has long been known for its presentations of cherished favorites from the Big Band era of the 1930s and 1940s.  Often playing for dancers, this time Stardust will be presenting some of its favorite arrangements in concert format.  

Vocalist Tess Teal will sing several well known standards, and the ensemble will present instrumental classics made famous by Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Glenn Miller, Tom Kubis, and others.  Featured soloists are Bill Cole, tenor sax, Ed Donahue, trumpet, Tim Naples, trombone, and George Radebaugh, piano.

Musical Director of the Stardust Big Band is Tom Guenther, who is also Band Director at Kingston High School.  Tom graduated from the highly respected Jazz Studies program at Washington State University, where he studied under Greg Yasinitsky and played in the Jazz Big Band.  Tom not only is the leader of the band, he plays lead Alto Saxophone in the group.

Tom began his tenure with Stardust in the Spring of 2021, when rehearsing restarted after a year of inactivity due to the COVID Pandemic.  Tom commutes from Kingston each week to lead the band in rehearsal. "I am thrilled to be part of the Stardust Big Band!  Jazz is a uniquely American art form, and it is exciting to be able to preserve and share that part of our history with audiences young and old."

Stardust is blessed to have two well known and respected local educators in the Band.  Vern Fosket recently retired after 28 years of directing the bands at Sequim High School, and is spending at least part of his retired time as the Bassist in Stardust.  Ed Donahue was Band Director for decades at Stevens Middle School in Port Angeles,  and is the "first call" trumpet player in the region.  He will be playing lots of wonderful jazz solos as occupier of the "jazz chair" in the Stardust trumpet section. "Music is my life and soul," said Donahue "I believe in preserving this style of music alive and well. The Stardust Big Band is doing just that. I really enjoy the camaraderie of this exciting band and am happy to be a part of it."

The pieces the band is preparing for the November 7 concert include selections from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich and standards from the Great American Songbook.  Members of the Stardust Big Band are:

Saxophones:  Bill Cole, Tenor Sax

                       John Adams, Alto and Soprano Sax

                       Tom Guenther, Alto Sax

                       Andy Geiger, Tenor Sax

          Al Thompson, Baritone Sax

Trombones:   Jeff Dingle

                      Wayne Paulsen

                      Tim Maples

                      Cliff Brown

Trumpets:      Ed Donahue

                      Phil Lepper

                      Marge Rosen

                      Doug Brundage

Rhythm:        George Radebaugh, Keyboard

                     Vern Fosket, Bass

                     Steve Burdick, Drums

Vocalist:        Tess Teal

Teal: Stardust Vocalist Tess Teal is featured on many songs performed by the Stardust Big Band.   Tess leads her own combos in many area venues, and is a well known and popular singer of jazz and pop tunes.

Guenther: Tom Guenther

Donahue: Ed Donahue

Fosket: Bassist Vern Fosket and drummer Steve Burdick, both of Sequim provide a solid beat for the Stardust Big Band.  Mr. Fosket was Director of Bands at Sequim High School for 38 years, and is enjoying his retirement and continuing his love of music with Stardust.