Coal City Illinois [Official Web Site]

All Day Concert

The Jay Mau Orchestra will bring back the big band era at the Coal City Park Boards last free concert of the season that is sponsored by Exelon Nuclear. An all day concert will be held on Saturday August 20th at the Campbell Park Gazebo and will feature music from all era's. The day will begin with the locally renown Jay Mau Orchestra from 2PM-4PM with 30's and 40's music. While World War II tunes and Broadway hits were heard over America's airways, little Jay Mau was slicing through the air with pointed index fingers leading other five-year-olds as the director of his kindergarten rhythm band. The clatter of those crayon-colored xylophones, trumpets, kazoos and tin drums were music to the ears of Jay Mau who would later find his way to instruments, a seat in several bands and his ultimate beat as leader of his own orchestra.

Mau played trombone and tuba in grade school. As a member of The Jimmy Stevenson Swing Band, he got fellow classmates hopping during school 'sock-hops' at Lockport High School. The band always wore black slacks, white dress shirts and lace up shoes called "white bucks."

After two-years in the US Navy, Mau got a job with a polka band, then with The Al Piazza Trio. Mau worked with Donna Rae and The Gentlemen four nights a week, and for a decade, with the Roy Gordon Orchestra. When Roy Carlos "Gordon" died in the mid-1990s, Mau purchased the orchestra, its name and music book. He merged Gordon's book of '30's and '40's tunes to include dance hits from the next 30 years. Then, he renamed it The Jay Mau Orchestra.

The Jay Mau Orchestra has been performing for the last 17 years all across the country from local summer fests in Minooka, Channahon, Morris to the Star Plaza Theatre in Indiana and the Willowbrook Ballroom. They are also a favorite at the Timbers of Shorewood's Ballroom.

Mau's Musicians are:
Luci D'Mari - vocalist
Geno Sciacca - drums
Bob Ferrarris - string bass
Tom Seroviak - tenor sax
Don Martin - 1st chair alto
Tom Drake - alto and tenor sax
Jerry Luzinecki - baritone sax
Norval Nicholls - trumpet
Frank Katzback - trumpet
Larry Zelek - trumpet
Del Bergeson - trombone and vocals
Bill Penn - piano

The eleven piece orchestra features female vocalist, Luci D'Mari also known as the "Velvet Touch" Ms. D'Mari wrote and performed the song "I live in America" at the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. Bill Penn, the pianist, is the former organist at Assumption Catholic Church and also a local retired judge. Mr. Penn has been a member of the Mau Orchestra for 15 years and also performed with the late Fr. Berst in his Hot Peppers of Jazz Band. In addition "crooner" Del Bergeson will serenade you with music favorites from the Glenn Miller Era and reminisce about the history of the songs. So grab your friends and join us at Campbell Park, August 20th, 2PM for a walk done memory lane.

Following the 30's and 40's music will be the Lincoln Hot Rods with 50's and 60s music. Lincoln Hot Rods, a 6-piece band, will thrill you with their rock and roll tunes between 4-6PM.

70's and 80' music will be played from 6-8PM by Boogie Shoes, an 11 piece band that will bring the sounds and the look of the 70's and 80's to the gazebo at Campbell Park

From 8-10P, 90's to the present day tunes will be performed by "Pet Cemetery" which is lead by local musician, Aaron Swiercz from Gardner.

The concessions stand will be open serving hot dogs and Italian sausage and beer and summer time refreshments.

Grab your lawn chair, relax and listen to the all kinds of music. All proceeds will benefit the Coal City Parks.

Village of Coal City
515 S. Broadway
Coal City, Illinois 60416
815-634-8608 / 815-634-2487(fax)

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