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| Helen Welch in action during "FEVER!" |
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| photo by Doug Wirt |
"Swingin' Christmas" and "Jingle
Bell Swing" a Great Time and a Great Success!
Helen Welch and the Dave Banks Big
Band came together again for a special series of Christmas concerts December 4th, 11th and 17th. Helen
and Dave came up with some great holdiay tunes, new bits, and were joined by the Walsh Jesuit High School Harmony Gold Show
Choir. The three show special took place at the Carousel Dinner Theatre in Akron, Ohio and the Palace Theatre at
Playhouse Square in Cleveland . After nearly selling out the house on a Monday night last year, Carousel Dinner
Theatre owner Joe Palmer asked Helen to produce 4 shows this year as part of a package that included the "Broadway Showstoppers"
in March, "Movie Magic" in June, and "Fever II"in October. The show also featured several guys in the band including
Bob Esterle on Tenor Saxophone, Dan Murphy on piano and George Lee on Bass who also provided some back up vocals as well! Dave
also got into the act singing a comical duet with Helen on "Baby, It's Cold Outside," Helen also supplied some instrumental
stylings as she pulled out her flute and joined Dave and his Calicchio Flugelhorn on a medley of "Silent Night" and "A
Child Is Born." Helen consistantly wowed the audience with songs like Karen Carpenter's "Merry Christmas Darling," and
Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Joined by the "Harmony Gold," they brought the house down
with "Jesus, What A Wonderful Child." The band also fired up a trio of fantastic Christmas arrangements by legendary
west coast arranger Tom Kubis which included "Here We Come A Wassailing" featuring Dave on Piccolo Trumpet. Not
to be outdone was Mark Gonder, who added some shtick with his sticks during his "holiday" drum solo! Helen and Dave have
consistantly produced shows full of energy, excitement, laughs, and some really great music.
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| FEVER! had its World Premier Show at the Carousel Dinner Theatre |
| Why you become a band leader... |
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