America in the Balance

A MEMORABLY EXCITING NIGHT AT THE

HAUGH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

by

Ken Eliasberg

Taking a moment away from my treatment of the war in Iraq (don’t worry folks, I’m almost done—just need to put some finishing touches on the project), I want to share with you a most delightful evening that I, my wife, and some friends spent at the Haugh Performing Arts Center. Actually words like exciting and delightful don’t do it justice. Memorable comes close, but even here it only scratches the surface. I love theatre, and I love music. And there is nothing like great musical theatre. That’s what happened on March 31^st—a superb musical treat!! Haugh was having what has become its annual battle of the bands (entitled Big Bands III), i.e. those representing Citrus College and Azusa Pacific University. To be more specific, the Citrus College Blue Note Swing Orchestra and Azusa Pacific University’s Jazz Ensemble. There are not enough superlatives to describe the evening; my friend’s statement that he had never seen a college band perform like that (and he is an old-time music buff from New York—the bosom of the big band) doesn’t begin to capture the magic of the evening. It was superb! And I strongly recommend next year’s (and the year after’s) to one and all.

The arrangements were sensational—well beyond your typical college fare. Indeed, on a par with any professional band I have experienced, and I’ve had the good fortune of having experienced good bands for over 65 years (having grown up in New York at the height of the big-band era). As good as the arrangements were, their renditions were better - these kids can flat out play!!! To complete the picture were 2 young vocalists from whom I guarantee you will be hearing. Citrus’s contribution was a young lady by the name of Liela Avila, a marvelous singer with a beautiful voice, a nice range, and a real feel for music (and a looker too, which never hurts).

But the star of the evening for me—and it was an evening full of stars, making it both difficult and unfair to single one out, but I’ll do it any way—was Azusa Pacific’s vocalist, a young man by the name of Leroy Osbourne. Mr. Osbourne doesn’t sing music, he doesn’t even make music, put quite simply—he is music! This young man takes me back to my youth when Harlem was bursting with talent and energy“ people like Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker. This was music that went beyond your senses to touch your soul; it was nothing short of a deeply religious experience. My night at the Haugh Center comes as close to that feeling as I have come in over half a century.

While Osbourne alone was worth many times the price of admission, the same could be said for every one of these performers. These kids were a wonderfully talented bunch of spirited, enthusiastic, and exciting performers. They brought new life to a great assortment of old balads. For example, a beautiful rendition of “A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square” was made even more beautiful by a remarkable trombone solo by a young man named Chase Bland (his last name is misleading, for his performance was anything but bland). That old standby “Moonlight in Vermont,” that many of us danced to over 40 years ago, came alive thanks to a brilliant saxophone solo performance by a young man named Sean Franz. An old Duke Ellington standby, Satin Doll, received professional treatment in the capable hands of Azusa Pacific’s guitarist, Gary Lee (ably assisted by saxophonist Joel Lopez and Brian Beukelman on trumpet).

And on and on the evening went with one great performance after another, all leading up to the the finale, entitled Sing Sang Sung—an innovative recreation of the old Benny Goodman standby, Sing Sing Sing—it was an absolute joy. This song alone would have made an already memorable evening considerably more memorable. All the instruments were outstanding, but the drumming deserves special mention. I have seen and/or heard Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, and Chick Webb, etc., and the performance of these kids—all four drummers—reminded you of these luminaries and added an exclamation point to the evening’s very beautiful sentence.

The bottom line - I cannot recall when I’ve had a better time. Go to the Haugh Center for all their performances; they are an endeavor well worth supporting - and we are so darn lucky to have them right here in Glendora—culture almost home delivered, if you will. But, whatever you do, do not miss the annual Big Band Battle - trust me, you won’t regret it, and you’ll never forget it. And remember the name Leroy Osbourne; this young man is on his way to becoming an unforgettable evening in his own right! Go to the Haugh!

Tying this in to my typical beat—America—the Big Band Battle is simply what America is all about. A wonderful bunch of talented youngsters energetically and enthusiastically pursuing their dream and having an opportunity to do so. In short, the evening was A HIGH AT THE HAUGH.