Penner Family Blog

Some of you may remember that I’m the 2nd trumpet player in the Robert Holts Orchestra, a professional big band. We had our first concert last thursday. We’ve had a lot of private gigs but this was the first chance for friends, family and the general public to hear us.

It was an absolute blast (no pun intended). Here are some great clips. If you couldn’t make it we’ll be doing it again on November 16^th.

http://cidownloads.com/members/rho/web/downloads/RHO6-12-08/

(Shameless promotion)
I solo on the following:

• Boogie Blues
• Tuxedo Junction (1st & 2nd solo)
• Alexander’s Ragtime Band
• Battle Hymn of the Republic (I’m in the middle of the song – pretty tired by this time! )

Other favorites:

• In the Mood (of course)
• Brazil (Latin)
• Mack the Knife (another fun classic)
• C Jam Blues (all around great soloing fun)
• Sugar Blues (fun trumpet solo piece)
• Blue (I could listen to this one forever)
• Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White (another fun trumpet solo piece – our lead is a bit of a comedian )
• Big Spender (classic!)
• Blue Flame (great clarinet piece)
• Skylark (great soprano sax piece)
• Mambo Jambo (another fun Latin one. We sing on this piece)

I guess that’s like over half the tunes! It was a lot of fun though!

Enjoy!

Well, a lot has been happening with Eva and I and our jazz bands.

We’re having a lot of fun and it’s pretty exciting.

There are two bands, the Valley Winds Swing Band (web site) and the Robert Holts Orchestra (http://www.holtsbigband.com).

What’s funny is that 80% of the players are in both bands. Eva is singing in the Valley Winds band and is having a blast.

We recently played a dinner/dance gig at the Ryland Oasis homes in Menifee, near where we live.

Eva sang four numbers and did great! She sang:

Don’t Know Why (Norah Jones)
Cry Me A River
Am I Blue
The Days of Wine and Roses

I believe a recording was made of this concert so I’ll upload some of the songs as soon as I can get them.

The RHO band recently played (last night!) at our first professionally paid gig. We played for a VIP dinner party for the Pala Casino and Resort. It was a lot of fun and received a lot of compliments from the crowd and staff. They fed us afterwards and the food was great. Our lead trumpet player, John Hess, is a videographer for his real job and taped the concert. I’ll upload some video as soon as I get my hands on that.

In the mean time check out the web sites above. If you want to hear the RHO band there are some samples from our demo CD on the site.

Anyway, I’ll keep everyone posted as things progress. Quite fun!

Take care!

Matt

Well, the band seems to be getting a good start. We’ve got a performance next Saturday for a 75th birthday. We’re all pretty excited. The band manager is still looking for some additional singers so I asked Eva about it. She almost exploded when I talked to her. So, she’ll be sitting in with us in a month. Wahoo!