ONTARIO CHAFFEY COMMUNITY SHOW BAND
https://www.showband.net
Dr. Gabe Petrocelli, Director
R. Jack Mercer, Founder

TO: Our Show Band Family
FROM: Your Band Director
WHAT'S UP? "Cool Jazz and Love Songs"
WHERE? Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium
WHEN? Monday, February 24, 2025
WHAT TIME? 7:30 pm Sharp
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? $0000000000.00

Dear Friends and Music Lovers,

The musicians of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band and Lowell and Deanna Stark are proud to present "Cool Jazz and Love Songs" on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.  Lowell Stark was a 30-year member of the Show Band and the first board president of The Friends of the Show Band.  The concert will be held at Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium located on the campus of Chaffey High School at 1245 N. Euclid Ave. in Ontario.  The Woodwind Celebration Ensemble will present a pre-concert recital in the auditorium lobby at 7:00 p.m.  Complimentary coffee and cookies will be served in the lobby prior to the concert.  The performance is FREE to the public.

The February concert features an exciting repertoire of jazz and ballads highlighted by special guest artists jazz saxophonist Steve Alaniz, vocalists Dr. George Matamala, Skip Cain, Show Band Assistant Director Pat Arnold, and guest conductor Gary Keith.

Southern California native, Steve Alaniz is an outstanding musician who has performed professionally with Andy Williams, The Johnny Crawford Orchestra, and notable jazz artists that include Nancy Wilson, Bobby McFerrin, Conte Condoli, Glen Campbell, The Dorsey Orchestra, Connie Francis, Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and Trini Lopez to name a few.

Steve has traveled the world to perform, including stints at Ronny Scott's in London, the 1984 Olympics, and the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals.  He has performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton.  Steve's movie and television credits include: CBS Guiding Light, Passions, Spider Man, and many others.  Branford Marsalis referred to Steve's style as having "The Spice of Life."  If Steve has a single goal, it is to honor the great players who built jazz into the art form celebrated today around the world.  Steve will be featured as a soloist on "Never Let Me Go" and "Blues For Steve," composed especially for him by Director Gabe Petrocelli.

Dr. George Matamala has been singing in performance since the sixth grade.  He continued to perform in high school, playing Danny Zuko in the Fontana High School presentation of Grease.  In college, he traveled the country singing with the Azusa Pacific University Chancel Singers.  He is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist currently playing bass and singing in bands who have played venues including the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.  When George is not performing, he works as the Principal of the Chaffey Adult School.  He will sing an old Sinatra favorite "One For My Baby," and a tune written by Gabe Petrocelli entitled "Jersey Junkyard Joe."

Vocalist Skip Cain makes his second visit with the Show Band.  He hails from the rural central Ohio farmland, served in the U.S. Air Force at Norton Airforce Base, and is an alumnus of Chaffey College.  His vocal repertoire includes songs of joy, romance, and love from yesteryear and today.  Skip's repertoire ranges from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Tom Jones, Lionel Richie, Tony Bennett, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and Teddy Pendergrass.  Skip will perform two jazz standards, "All The Things You Are" and "Unforgettable."

Guest conductor Gary Keith is a graduate of Chaffey High School.  He participated in the band program under Director Jack Mercer and played the trumpet and French horn.  Years later, Gary became the Music Pastor at a local church.  In this role, he led the band, selected the music and played the piano at the weekly worship services.  He also directed an adult choir of 50 voices at the same church.  Currently, Gary has retired from his music role at the local church but continues to mentor pastors in the Western United States.  He also serves as a board member and secretary of The Friends of the Show Band.

The Show Band is proud and privileged to have outstanding musician and assistant director Pat Arnold perform at center stage.  Pat will be featured on tenor saxophone in the Thelonius Monk jazz ballad "Round Midnight."

In celebration of Black History Month, the musicians of the Show Band will perform two iconic Duke Ellington jazz tunes "Take The 'A' Train" and "Satin Doll."  They are also featured in "I've Got You Under My Skin," the well-known jazz standard "Moanin'," and "Fly Me To The Moon" conducted by Gary Keith.

The performance will be narrated by Michael and Lynne Kennedy.

Click to download this Flyer

Please be sure to join us for an exciting evening of jazz and love songs and do not forget to invite your family and friends!  You can also support the Show Band by visiting and feeding our Hungry Tuba located in the lobby of the auditorium.  This concert will be broadcast on local Ontario cable Channel 3.  Check your cable listings for the date and time.  For additional information regarding these performances or the rest of Show Band's upcoming concert season, please check our website at www.showband.net and follow the Show Band on Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.

The community can help support the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band by becoming a patron of The Friends of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band.  Become a Bronze Baton donor for $25-$249; Steel Baton $250-$499; Silver Baton $500-$999; Gold Baton $1,000-$1,500; Platinum Baton $2,500; Emerald Baton $5,000 and Diamond Baton $10,000.  Individuals or businesses may also become a Show Sponsor for $1,000.  For more information on sponsoring a show, contact director Dr. Gabe Petrocelli at gabe@showband.net.  All Donor names will be included on every program and our website for the entire concert season.  Baton and Show Sponsors will also receive complementary DVDs of each performance.  The Friends of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band is a registered charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 C (3); EIN # 46-1422958.  Checks may be made out to: Friends of the OCCSB, P/O Box 1512, Ontario, CA 91762.

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The Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band was founded in 1985 by R. Jack Mercer and is now under the direction of Dr. Gabe Petrocelli with assistant directors David Schaafsma and Pat Arnold.  Band members represent at least two dozen communities throughout Southern California.  Adult and student musicians are invited to participate.  No auditions!  Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7 to 9:00 p.m. at the Chaffey High School Jack Mercer Band Room.  The band performs monthly concerts in the Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium and at other venues throughout the community.  All performances are free to the public.

Your Band Director,
Gabe