Galaxy Orchestra

“The two-hour show blasts off with the stirring Goodman war cry Sing, Sing, Sing, his Let’s dance and Two O’Clock Jump. The tunes swung so hard you may well judge the 14-piece Galaxy Orchestra co-directed by veteran Eddie Graf on alto sax and pianist Ross Wooldridge the real star element in this well-designed show. No real surprise since in its ranks lurk a gang of stellar Toronto jazzmen, including the silky trombonist, Laurie Bower”…“Bandstand carries the banner for the joy of swing much more effectively than contemporary, similarly themed shows. Stand, band, and take a special bow”…Geoff Chapman, Music Critic, Toronto Star.

“The reviews are in and the shows were a huge HIT!!! Thanks to you and everyone involved with the production. Everyone had a great time!!”…Michael Grit, Sanderson Ctr. for the Performing Arts.

“An entertaining show filled with pizzazz and excitement. It really swings and brings audiences to their feet”…Mike Filey, Toronto Sun Columnist.

“Terrific Big Band Salute”… nothing “dampened the enthusiasm of the audience at the performance I attended, which didn’t need to be asked twice to flood the dance floor”...“The whole evening was as much a tribute to the skilful musicians of today as to those greats of the past”… Bruce Raymond, Theatre Reviewer.

“From the opening number, a rousing Sing, Sing, Sing which combined the infectious jitterbugging by the Stardust Dancers and full ‘big band’ treatment by the orchestra, we were hooked”…“Their impeccable musicianship and timing gave the concert its aura of real quality, harking back unerringly to what must have been many great evenings in the ballrooms of the ‘30s and ‘40s”…Barbara Neeley, Arts & Entertainment, The Toronto Voice.

“A feast for the eyes, the ears, the soul and the toe. Bandstand: a well deserved standing ovation”…Alain Boisvert, CJBC Radio Canada.

“Even better than when it premiered a year ago at the Winter Garden Theatre… this revival of Bandstand! has all that and one important extra – dancing. On opening night couples took full advantage of the dance floor, sprinkled, of course, with the confetti of light beams reflected off the spinning ball high above.”…“the new setting really makes the show. There’s a more intimate feeling, seated at tables around the stage than concert seating. People talk to their neighbours, usually enthusing over the music or reminiscing”…Ellen J. Ashton-Haiste, Forever Young magazine

“The show was really good, especially the band! You were right about Ross Wooldridge’s “tour-de-force” on Carioca. Eddie Graf’s version of Begin the Beguine (my wife’s favourite) was also super, as were several other numbers.”… John Stewart, The Mississauga News

“As a show ’Bandstand’ is completely unpretentious. It places music front and centre, and for two glorious hours, the 13-member Galaxy All-Star Orchestra pours out the tunes under conductors Eddie Graf and Ross Wooldridge. The players are some of Toronto’s finest jazz musicians who can really emulate Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Harry James at their best.” “To keep things interesting, some songs are given big production numbers by choreographer Troy Liddell, and the never-ending parade of costumes makes the revue a feast for the eyes.” “Bandstand makes for an enjoyable evening. The buffet dinner wasn’t bad either.”
… Paula Citron, Music Reviewer Toronto Life Magazine.

Page 2.

“We will open our season with a show whose magnitude is second to none. The Kings of Swing puts new emphasis on the phrase opening night, with 25 people on stage, crooning, dancing or strutting their stuff. It will indeed be a Gala evening”…Dee Adrian, General Manager Capitol Theatre, North Bay

“I wanted to write to thank you for your assistance in the promotion of our Opening Night Gala featuring "Kings of Swing". Ticket sales are marvelous and the performance is being extremely well received! I am personally thrilled that Kings of Swing is keeping up in ticket sales with the big Broadway shows that we have coming in around the same time. Having "Kings of Swing" as our season opener will decidedly set the tone for the rest of our exciting season! It really is true that "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!"…Lee Kools, Capitol Theatre, North Bay

“We thoroughly enjoyed your Kings of Swing Show yesterday. Great singers, fabulous band, well thought out and full non-stop entertainment. We are interested in discussing the show with you, possible for a September or October date in 2003”…Laurie Wallace-Lynch, Stage West Dinner Theatre

“I ended up taking my parent to the show in Kingston and they absolutely loved it. They knew every song that was performed. The performers did an excellent job! They looked and sounded as though they were actually from the era that they were representing. What a wonderful evening.”…Judy Crowe

“The Kings of Swing show was great. Thanks”...Steve Solski, Heritage Theatre, Brampton

“It's a treat to hear a good big band show, and the production called Kings of Swing which played Centre in the Square yesterday afternoon was a very good big band show. The band was the Galaxy All-Star Orchestra, all Toronto guys, and it was led jointly by the legendary Eddie Graf on alto and clarinet, and Ross Wooldridge on piano and clarinet.
They played a basin-full of big band arrangements from the books of Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Les Brown and more, and played them in the style and with the sound of the originals.
Great Solos. Pretty well every musician in the band could play jazz solos, and each had his turn doing just that. Surprisingly, Johnny Liddle pulled off the Harry James theme Ciribiribin as well as James himself, and a couple of the trombones -- Laurie Bower and Russ Little played the fabulous Tommy Dorsey solos just like the master. Little even sang the old Jack Leonard version of Marie.
The band was tight, had good intonation, and played up a storm from Goodman's Sing! Sing! Sing! through a couple of dozen tunes to the reprise of the opener with the whole cast on stage.
That cast included four dancers, a female vocal trio, a couple of male singers and a female singer. The vocal trio were real sisters -- no, not the Mantinis -- these were the Irvine Sisters masquerading as The Moonglows, and they did a great job of some of Andrews Sisters tunes, including Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy and Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, which they did dressed as US Army WACS.
One of the male vocalists, Ian Judson, was just guesting on the show, as he really works in a different show with the same band, and though his style wasn't in the big band era, he was sensational in his Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdinck, Paul Anka and BobbyDarin tunes. He's one to watch.
Female vocalist Robin Lea is young, beautiful, and sings like she was a part of the swing era. In fact, I've never heard anyone sound so much like an original "girl singer," especially on tunes like I've Heard That Song Before.
The dancers -- three females and one male -- did a great job of jive steps in several of the swing numbers, and did walk-ons in some tunes to enhance the lyrics. It was terrific to hear Graf play the Artie Shaw solo on Begin the Beguine, and Wooldridge did some incredible Goodman solos on clarinet”…
Harry Currie, Kitchener Record


Page 3.

“It was a great show. My co-worker who helps everyone back onto the city buses said they were all raving about it.” Lynne Gardner, Centre in the Square, Kitchener

“I'm from London, Ontario and was visiting my cousin in Kingston last Saturday night and she surprised me with tickets to your Kings of Swing concert. There were three of us attending in the theatre’s orchestra section. All I can say is "WOW", what a wonderful show, so very very professional. The music was just great, really enjoyable, toe tapping and knee slapping, as well as, clapping to your very memorable performance. My hands were sore from clapping, but it was a good sore. Vili and the Girls were great as well. All very polished and professional…just like Las Vegas. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you in London sometime. Yours truly”…Gail Reed

“The Kings of Swing Show in Kingston's Grand Theatre was fantastic! Don and I both enjoyed it and we met some people we know there...we heard nothing but very positive feedback. The music was great, the song selection very upbeat and fun, the vocalists very talented. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and did buy a copy of the CD (which we have been enjoying.) … Jo Matyas, Columnist Kingston Whig Standard

“Diana and I enjoyed ourselves immensely. We both enjoyed the star of the evening. He’s a talented performer with apparently unlimited energy and a powerful voice. All in all, an exciting presentation”…Bruce Rogers, Broadcaster-journalist

“Just wanted to say thanks for a wonderful and entertaining performance of the Kings of Swing Big Band show! After two years of chasing these guys, it was a thrill to finally have them here for two performances last Thursday. Thanks to the band, the singers and the crew for a great day. If you haven't booked this show…get on board cause it is excellent! The audience said ' BRING THEME BACK!”…Ray Marshall, Lindsay Academy Theatre

“Please pass on my thanks to the Orchestra. The night was everything, and more, than we had hoped. We received wonderful praise for the Orchestra and the wonderful voices of the singers. They were perfect”...
Fran Agnew, Burlington Mayor’s Ball

“Thanks much for the CD that I picked up at the Old Mill last night. The band was real great, extremely professional and we were most impressed. Ross Wooldridge's clarinet playing was out of this world. I'd heard him on the air a few times but hearing him live was something else”…Doug Peters

“Best band this side of heaven. Thumbs up for the Galaxy All-Stars. Please send out congratulations and best wishes.”…Carolyn Beaton

“Great show yesterday! I popped in and watched some of it and especially liked the trio. Although I’m not a senior (yet) I know many of these songs from my parents and recall them singing them often. Great show…great memories. You always give 110% in your shows. Thanks!”…Laurie Wallace-Lynch, Director of Marketing/PR Stage West.

"I often review shows professionally; but on this occasion I purchased tickets to StageWest Dinner Theatre so that I could treat my aging octogenarian parents to a musical performance dedicated to their formative years. My mother has Alzheimers and I was not sure exactly how she would react to the show. It was a real pleasure to see so many seniors in attendance; to enjoy the music, the wonderful talented singers and orchestra, as well as relive their own personal memories of the wartime years. My mom despite memory loss from her illness was able to smile, laugh and sing along with many of the songs featured in the program. Seeing this behaviour reversal, even though temporary, did much to make me realize that we are all still capable of having fun even with chronic disabilities. Congratulations on putting together a remarkable and highly entertaining show!"…Michael Glassman
- Various