This past May, the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass (SSSB) gave a sold-out concert as one of the Cumberland County Playhouse‘s Mainstage concert series. The theme of the concert was “Hot Brass & Cool Ballads” and the focus was the presentation of jazz, Dixieland, and Big Band stylings.

As the Playhouse Mainstage has a capacity of around 500, versus the 1200-seat auditorium where the SSSB normally performs, the audience was “up close and personal” with the band. The multi-level staging allowed the percussion section to be easily seen and even the tuba musicians were more visible, which enhanced the audience’s visual enjoyment to see the band more intimately.

As a result, this concert had terrific audience interaction, and the applause and ovations after each selection proved that this performance was extremely well received. Comments like “Best concert ever,” “loved being able to be so close to the band,” “Do more concerts here,” “Best sound and lighting ever,” “Wow, wow, wow!!” and “The big band selections were great.”

As many of the band’s patrons have been asking when a new CD/DVD might become available, and coupled with the audience reaction to the above concert, the ensemble’s leaders have decided to produce both a CD and DVD of this LIVE performance as this style of music is so universally appreciated by the band’s patrons.

The DVD video was made in high definition and the color quality of the DVD is very pleasing. Besides selections by the band only, there are seven tracks that feature SSSB instrumental soloists and two Playhouse staff vocalists.

The concert selections are:
Caravan
Cute
The Debutante (Alex Wilborn – cornet soloist)
I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Hannah Hays – vocalist)
Blue Rondo a la Turk
Danny Boy (Raquel Rodriguez – cornet soloist)
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Children of Sanchez (Chris McCormick – flugelhorn, Jon Cormack – trumpet soloists)
That’s a Plenty
Georgia On My Mind (Chris McCormick – trumpet soloist)
Miller Magic
Luck Be a Lady (Jason Ross – vocalist)
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Sing, Sing, Sing (soloists: Chris McCormick and John Cormack – trumpets, and Kurt Snider – Trap set).

While we anticipate that many folks who saw this concert will be interested in having a CD or DVD, those who missed this outstanding concert will most certainly want to have one—or both!—for their enjoyment.

The price of the CD is $15 and the DVD is $17. Direct your inquiries to the band’s founder and President, Dwight Wages, via email at dwight.wages@gmail.com or through Facebook messaging for ordering details.