Survivors Swing Band Jazz Concert In Branford

Branford Rec:The Branford Recreation Department in conjunction with the Branford Jazz Series is pleased to announce that the Survivors Swing Band will be on hand on the Branford Town Green, Thursday, September 19 th from 6:30-8:00 pm. for a Fall music extravaganza special.

Generating energy and excitement everywhere they perform, this seven piece professional jazz band, based here in Connecticut, plays the classic melodies from an era gone by – hot tunes and soothing ballads of the Swing Era – plus many of the wonderful melodies from the two decades that followed. The following members make up their talented line-up of musicians: *Jeremy Alston (Drums) has played drums and solo piano in Connecticut for many years. A long-time member of the local jazz group Music From the Heart, he also teaches music and has performed all over the country in bands of various genres.

*Jules Bashkin (Alto Sax) is the most “seasoned” member and the chief marketer who has played saxophone as a kid during the Swing Era. He put the horn away upon settling into family life in his early 20’s and then unpacked it for the first time again upon retiring from a sales career at the age of 84. For over 10 years now he has re-honed his musical skills and has played with the Survivors since its “house band” days.

*Greg Butko (Reeds) is a founding member of the Survivors Swing Band. A long active member on the Connecticut music scene, he plays every week in the Charlie Kaman Band at the Duncaster in Bloomfield. Greg’s newest jazz outlet is the 20th Century Jazz Limited band that plays Dixie/Swing jazz from the early to mid-1900’s.

* Lauren Humpage (Bass, Vocals) is an original member of the Survivors, and has been musically active in Connecticut since the early 1960’s. A professional recorder, Lauren was a member of the house band at the Griswold Inn and is also a member of the aforementioned 20 th Century Jazz Limited group. *Dave Mechler (Cornet, Trumpet) was a founding and long-time member of Earl Capron’s Bourbon Street Seven jazz band, performing all over Connecticut and New York. Over the years, he played regularly with John Banker’s Riverboat Ramblers and several other fine jazz groups from Connecticut to Vermont, as well as internationally and in Hawaii.

*Sandra Wittman (Piano) is the youngest and newest member of the band and is a music educator and performing artist. Besides teaching classical piano and violin she is the pianist and children’s director at White Oak Baptist Church on Wallingford. Sandra’s jazz-playing outlets include the Starlighters Jazz Band in New Haven.