Central Park Stompers bring Big Apple flavor
Written by Vicki L. Kroll | | news@toledofreepress.com
The Central Park Stompers expect the audience to dance.
“I hope people are allowed to dance at the venue — I’m not sure of the format there,” said drummer Stefan Schatz.
Since Perrysburg doesn’t have a no-dancing ordinance, the retro swing band shouldn’t have to worry when it plays at the Owens Community College Center for Fine and
Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Sept. 16. Tickets are $22, $20 for seniors and $12 for students.
“When people think of swing, they think big bands,” said Schatz from his home in New York City. “We do play some of that repertoire, but I mostly think of the smaller bands that came out of swing — Count Basie’s Kansas City units, which had rhythm sections and horn soloists.
“I myself am a drummer. I respond first and foremost to the rhythm,” he said. “I think first and foremost of dancing.”
“People like to cut loose and participate. It’s very energetic music,” said singer Vanessa Trouble.
Two swing dancers from the Big Apple will join Schatz, Trouble, trumpeter Marty Bound, saxophonist Diego Rivera, bass player Doug Largent and guitarist and singer Tuey Connell on stage.
“We play very high-energy swing in the tradition of Louis Prima and Louis Jordan,” Schatz said.
Some Central Park Stompers’ favorites to perform include “It’s Sand, Man,” “Ding Dong Daddy,” “You Make Me Feel So Young” and “Jump Jack Jump.”
“It’s very satisfying music to sing,” Trouble said. “I’m an old soul. It suits my voice.”
Trouble started listening to Ella Fitzgerald’s “The Cole Porter Songbook” and tried to emulate the First Lady of Song.
“People don’t get tired of jazz standards. They’re in the American landscape of our history,” she said.
That doesn’t mean the band doesn’t dabble in modern music.
“We do a cover of Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’ that’s really fun,” Trouble said.
