CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH US!

Ring in the new decade with THE BILL SARGENT BIG BAND

Thursday, December 31, 2009

7 pm - 1 am

Italian Community Center
631 East Chicago Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-5916

Phone: 414-223-2180

OUR TASTY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY MENU

HORS D'OEUVRES
A variety of the Italian Conference Center’s famous hot and cold hors d’oeuvres served from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

DINNER (served at 8:00 p.m.)
Salad: Italian Salad with Romaine Lettuce, topped with Mozzarella Cheese, Salami, Prosciutto, Tomatoes, Black Olives, Artichoke Hearts, and Pepperoncini.

Main Course: Grilled Twin Tenderloins of Beef topped with Jumbo Tiger Prawn Shrimp and Bernaise Sauce, Double-Baked Potato, Steamed Vegetable Medley, Italian Bread.

Dessert: Tuxedo Black and White Torte with a layer of New York Cheesecake, raspberry filling, white chocolate ganache, moist double chocolate cake and topped with French vanilla butter cream.

AFTER MIDNIGHT BUFFET
Assorted Cold Cuts, Cheese & Relish Trays, Fresh Rolls, Pasta Salad and Assorted Cookies.

Cash bar throughout the evening.

Only $65 Per Person!

Reservations are Required

Phone: 414-223-2180

RESERVATION FLYER & RESERVATION FORM HERE: http://billsargentbands.com/ICC%20New%20Years%20Party%20Form%202009.pdf

For more information, go to: http://www.italianconference.com/

This past New Year's Eve was spectacularly successful. Not only did the Italian Community Center have 75 more reservations, (in an economically depressed year), than the previous year, but the very first song the dance floor filled and it stayed that way to the very last song. The food offerings were fantastic. Everybody had a really great time. Therefore, the Italian Community Center immediately rebooked us for the coming year. Get your reservations in early. What a wonderful evening and way to bring in the New Year!

NOTE - If you're coming in from out of town, there are plenty of hotel rooms right nearby.

Hope you can join us to bring in the new decade!!

Bill
Bill Sargent Bands
414-777-0100

http://BillSargentBands.com

Here's the news:

We have just released our new CD -

"The Best Of Bill Sargent Bands - Volume 1"!

You can purchase the CD or MP3s at:

http://billsargentbands.com/recordings.htm

The tracks on this site are samples from that CD. You'll find VERY complete information on this recording in our Blog section.

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Even though our bands are known for the phenomenal weddings we do . . . yes, it seems that we are "WEDDINGS ARE US" . . . and it seems to go something like:

weddings - company party - wedding - convention - weddings - picnic - wedding - fundraising ball - weddings - corporate event - more weddings - concert - another wedding - festival - etc., etc., etc.

There's no denying we do a fantastic job at weddings, and we get positive feedback for years after the fact. And it should be noted that those folks who use us for their wedding DO seem to STAY married (yes, it really does appear to be the case!)

BUT . . .

I want to announce that we have a few NEW "programs" for 2009!

A new Christmas music program for your corporate event.

A new Patriotic music program for Veterans, Memorial Day or the 4th of July.

A newly expanded Christian music offering.

In addition to a completely new & revised music "book". This year, in addition to our acclaimed swing & big band material, we will be introducing new, more Contemporary music into the mix.

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Finally, we now have the ability for your guests to take home a memento of your event! We can now make our new CD - "The Best Of Bill Sargent Bands - Volume 1" available in mass quantities at a very modest cost. This way, for years to come, every time your guests pop in our CD, their mind will return to the memory of the wonderful time they had at your event!

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And, last, but certainly not least, we have launched a BRAND NEW BAND!

It is called: Bill Sargent's "Really Big Band" and has more horns and more musical voices than ever before!

For complete information on all the above, go to:

 

http://BillSargentBands.com

What a great early Christmas present! I wanted to play it through a couple times before I reacted. I'm very grateful for it and hope it does well for you in the Christmas marketplace...as it should.

My overall observation is how balanced the musicians' skill level is, at a high level, on all tracks. So often, one or two poor chairs can drag down an otherwise-fine recording. It just didn't happen on this one - all the more lauditory because the performances were live.

I was stopped cold by the excellence of the clarinet work, rushed to the liner notes, only to do the appropriate head-slap. Chuck Hedges, of course!

Your drumming is tasty, the highest compliment one can receive. You drove where called-for, filled and backed solos and sections elsewhere, and showed total command of the drums and their role in the band.

- J. Jones

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I'm listening to a copy of Bill's CD as I write this. IMO, it is excellent.

The 4 different Bill Sargent bands are a treat as is the music. Way to go Bill.

Sure is a good reason to listen to the guys who are living and playing in the here and now.

And for a clarinet wannabe, it's a pleasure to hear Chuck Hedges work, especially "Avalon".

Great musicians and great rhythm sections. Can't make no drummer jokes here, you be swingin.

Wish you continued success with your efforts. The album name is "The Best of Bill Sargent Bands, Volume 1" and I recommend it highly.

Visit his site and hear what he is saying musically. Then, if you agree with me, by all means buy it. You won't be sorry.

http://billsargentbands.com/recordings.htm

- Steve B.

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Just listened last nite to Bill's new CD and it's a swinger!

Bill Sargent is one of those exceptionally RARE drummers who is solidly into TIME!

The groups all sound great. Outstanding CD, Bill!!

- Dave G.

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This is a GREAT album (especially is you'd like to hear what drums are supposed to sound like!) and well worth the money - get it!

- Bison

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There are few bands around today who can play as well as all of yours did on that CD.

From what I heard, yours are PROFESSIONAL groups in today's hodge podge of amateurs and very much better than most that I hear.

Few can match what you do.

- Steve

We have just released our new CD:

"The Best Of Bill Sargent Bands - Volume 1"

COMPLETE details, songs samples and the ability to purchase either the hard copy CD, or the whole album or individual track in mp3 format are at:

http://billsargentbands.com/recordings.htm


Here are the details:

This album is the real deal. NO SYNTHESIZED SOUNDS OR INSTRUMENTS WERE USED. 100% REAL instruments were used in its making, all played by real human beings.

This album represents the ultimate in human, and God’s, creativity. It contains all the exiting and spontaneous interaction between individual performers and the electricity between the bands and the audience.

All performances were single take, "LIVE". There has been no tracking, no overdubs, and nothing has been digitally "fixed" or tweaked, i.e. Pro-Tooled.

What you get are real people, playing real music with awesome improvisation by some of the very best players on the planet.

This is HAPPY music, upbeat and uplifting, that swings with a groove and tempo that will get your feet tapping and your body moving.

This is great for driving your car, staying awake while driving your car; during your exercise and workout routine, aerobic walking, jogging or running, while cleaning your house, while trudging through mundane chores. It also makes wonderful music at picnics and parties to help keep things in an upbeat mood.

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THE BANDS ON THE CD

THE BILL SARGENT QUARTET (plus one) is classy, cool and in the groove with awesome, refreshing, original vocals featuring Chelsea Krombach. Chelsea’s phrasing and ability to get into a song and make it go somewhere is as good as it gets, and maybe as good as it’s ever been. While she has since traveled the country with many famous jazz greats and traveling Broadway shows, she is currently appearing in New York on Broadway. What you won’t believe is the fact that this recording of her was made before she graduated high school!

BILL SARGENT’S TRAD-JAZZ ROUSERS DIXIELAND BAND is happy, carefree and composed right before your very eyes, or ears. It’s a bodacious band that really kicks . . . nothing pretentious or refined about it. The musicians you’ll hear are phenomenal!

BILL SARGENT’S SWING KINGS is an All-Star hybrid swing band that plays both Dixieland and classic swingin’ straight-ahead jazz. The clarinetist has the best tone in the world combined with a hard driving improvisation that simply makes him the world’s greatest living clarinetist. The trumpeter wails with originality and imagination combined with chops that won’t quit. On and on and anything else said about the rest of the band, becomes a redundancy of what I wrote about the two guys above.

THE BILL SARGENT BIG BAND is hard driving, animalistic, kicking and swingin’! It’s an All-Star band of fantastic musicians who don’t need a studio and recording tricks to sound tight. They approach swing classics with a refreshing zip and more happening tempos. It’s a kinda  "in your face" sorta thing.

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THE TRACKS

1. ST LOUIS BLUES MARCH – 3:44 - THE BILL SARGENT BIG BAND - This is a popping version of a Glenn Miller Air Force Band arrangement that features Bill ala Ray McKinley that will get you up and bopping around the house. This is a great track for those who exercise or are into aerobic walking.

2. FIDGETY FEET – 9:35 – BILL SARGENT’S TRAD-JAZZ ROUSERS DIXIELAND BAND - Is designed to do just that – get you moving . . . and smiling! This is a great track for those who exercise or are into jogging.

3. AVALON – 8:36 – BILL SARGENT’S SWING KINGS - Features the world’s greatest living clarinetist. Just when you think it has gotten as good as it can get, he takes another chorus and kicks it up a notch! This is a great track for those who exercise or are into running.

4. OVER THE RAINBOW – 5:42 – THE BILL SARGENT QUARTET (plus one) - You may have heard this classic done many times before, in many ways, but not this way. Of all the versions I’ve EVER heard, this is the very, very best. It literally gives me goose-bumps every time I hear it. Chelsea sings with sensitivity and a passion that will take your breath away. Her phrasing is not only original, but the best I’ve ever heard. There’s one very long phrase she does that’ll make you say, "No way!" Only a young high school kid, with all the musical chops in the world, her whole life before her with a bright future could put this kind a real hope, expectation and belief into this song. Even if you don’t buy the whole album, you need to seek out this track and buy this track as an mp3. There’s no exercising here . . . only reflection and dreaming with a renewed hope and outlook.

5. BASIN STREET BLUES – 5:58 – BILL SARGENT’S TRAD-JAZZ ROUSERS DIXIELAND BAND - Features our trombonist with a round, rich, commanding tone in a boisterous blues. This is a great track for those who exercise as a warm-up or cool-down or are into leisurely strolls.

6. AND THE ANGELS SING – 3:17 - BILL SARGENT’S SWING KINGS - And yes, this "angel" of a vocalist sure does sing! A classic big band vocalist with a classic style. Features our Mr. Chops on trumpet playing the famous Ziggy Elman solo in a small group setting. He truly nails it!

7. AMERICAN PATROL – 3:01 – THE BILL SARGENT BIG BAND - An upbeat version of a Glenn Miller classic. Nothing tame about it – it drives, it’s dynamic and it swings like crazy. This is a great track for those who exercise or are into jogging. Awesome for uptempo Swing Dancing.

8. TIN ROOF BLUES – 7:24 – BILL SARGENT’S TRAD-JAZZ ROUSERS DIXIELAND BAND - Bodacious, bawdy blues. About as laid back as it gets . . . and talk about dynamic, from a whisper to a scream, it lets it all out. This is a great track for those who exercise as a warm-up or cool-down or are into leisurely strolls.

9. TWO O’CLOCK JUMP – 2:54 – THE BILL SARGENT BIG BAND - Nothing laid back, pretentious or classy here! The jumpin-est 2 minutes and 54 seconds of your life! For those who like to dance around the house while they work . . . you just may get all your work done in under 3 minutes!! Features the animals of the brass section. Punchy, precise, like bullets coming out of the brass. This is a great track for those who exercise or are into running. Incredible for uptempo Swing Dancing.

10. BYE BYE BLACKBIRD – 5:08 – THE BILL SARGENT QUARTET (plus one) - Cool & grooving. Chelsea puts feeling, emotion and swing into this classic song along with a very original, inspired scat. Great trumpet solo too! Your toes will tap to this one. This is a great track for those who exercise as a warm-up or cool-down or are walking.

11. THAT’S A-PLENTY – 8:59 – BILL SARGENT’S SWING KINGS - This is sooooo hot it burns! This is as driving, cooking, dynamic a Dixieland track as you’ll ever hear in your life. Played by our eight-piece band, it is exceptionally full and textured too. You’re gonna love our surprise ending . . . yea, we sure do have fun! This is a great track for those who exercise or are into running – but only if you’re really fast!

12. SING, SING, SING – 11:52 – THE BILL SARGENT BIG BAND - Featuring Bill Sargent with an extended drum solo on the Gene Krupa/Benny Goodman classic. It’s a popping, happening tempo with "in your face" drive and spunk. Turn it up loud when you’re diving in the car and you’ll have no problem staying awake . . . just make sure you stay in your lane! :-)

Following are very talented people who have or currently do perform with a Bill Sargent Band.*

 

WE HAVE BACKED
Aretha Franklin

The Ink Sports

The Shirelles

The Drifters

Dick Conte

Buddy DeFranco

Sam Most

Frankie Sabbath

Jackson Dordell

ACCORDIAN

Tom Kanack

Joe Magnino

ACTOR/COMEDIAN

Lee Rothman

John Grahms

Vicki Fisher-Romant

Wally Flaherty

Jim St. Charles

Peggy Peterson

ARRANGERS

Warren Wiegratz

Jim St. Charles

BANJO

Jim Christiansen

Erv Dombrowski

Al Johnson

Dick Eliot

Bob DeBlaey

BASS

Dave Gannett

Tom McGirr

Harold Miller

Jeff Hamann

Jim Kishline

Gary Christensen

Billy Johnson

John Dominguez

Duane Stuermer

Doug Hayes

Sam Kidd

Jeff Chase

Steve Clay

Don Eliot

Michael Williams

George Welland

John Babbitt

Kevin Allen

Bill Estep

Skip Crumby-Bey

John Bany

Conway Powell

Gordy Lofgren

Matt Kahovec

Doug Turley

Dan Shapera

Jon Matelski

Mike Britz

Rich Kremer

David Stallsmith

Lee Burrows

Larry Tresp

Tony Collova

Clark Otto

Brian Baker

Tom Burgermeister

Jim Friday

Larry Kittilstad

Bob Rudman

CELLO

Dan Lawonn

CLARINET

Chuck Hedges

Kim Cusak

Heinie Beau

Don Chesebro

Sammy Armato

Harold Smith

Joe Aaron

Dave MacGregor

Richard Regent

Doug Gmoser

Orv Johnson

DRUMS

Barrett Deems

Paul Wertico

Mike Murphy

Mike "Ding" Lorenz

Andy LoDuca

Bob Budney

Rand Moore

Tom Utchig

Mike Johnson

Randy Maio

Michael Bettine

Randy Kuehn

Don Neitzel

Ron Barron

Roy Schneider

Dave Hughlett

Leo Tato

Tom Sorenson

Timothy McHatten

Jeremiah Webb, Jr.

Harold Madding III

Genesis Maceda

Jennifer Sargent

GUITAR

Pat Methaney

Jack Grassel

Dick Eliot

Steve Lewandowski

Bill Martin

Dave Bany

Steve Peplin

Dave Sullivan

Bob DeBlaey

Jon Parrott

Mike Sullivan

Jay Mollerskov

Kirk Tatnall

Tom Sorce

Keith Watling

Ross Ingram

Gary Williams

Tom Zietlow

Mike Heinrich

Vince Megna

PERCUSSION

Mike "Ding" Lorenz

Romail Bhatti

Jeff Pietrangelo

Jennifer Sargent

PIANO

Steve Allen

Frank Puzullo

Rich Crabtree

Sam Steffke

David Hazeltine

Dan Nimmer

Dan Dance

Mark Davis

Brad Pregeant

Larry Moore

Dean Lea

Frank Vlasis

Jeff Stoll

David Stoler

Grant Krueger

Neal Bardele

Stan Richards

Michael Butkus-Bomier

Ed Doemland

Dan Schneck

Lou Cucunato

Jon Weber

Larry Drake

Scott Senn

Don Vandenhouten

John Cooper

Mark Thierfelder

David Bonofiglio

Larry Drake

Carmen Lane

Carl Hoon

Matthew Ward

John Zabrowski

PREACHERS

John Davis

Jerome Spencer

SAXES

Richie Cole

Roger Pemberton

Kaolyn Kafer

Warren Wiegratz

Tim Bell

Curt Hanrahan

Orv Johnson

Nick Contorno

Scott VanDomelin

John Kirchberger

Don Chesebro

Tom Newburg

Jason Gillette

Jim Kazmerak

Jack Snavely

Tom Washatka

Keith Sarnow

Tim Urness

Allen Johnson

Mike Pauers

Ray Rideout

Steve Soller

Mike Miller

Jeff Santaga

John Nelson

Don Orlaska

Ken Hoffman

Mike Witte

Lynn Lewandowski

Ken Kilian

Keith Sarnow

Mark Piasecki

Blair Bielawski

Bennett Olson

Larry Lange

Dan Kinzelman

Corey Clunk

Dion Mills

Pat Odell

Sammy Armato

Joe Lulloff

Pat Crawford

Steve Jacobs

Rex Rukavina

Jay Manning

Ron Foster

Ron Carr

Bill Nelson

Bill Voltz

Dan Zaffrann

Karen Engelmann

Matt Olson

Eric Morones

Aaron Santee

Larry Mueller

Bill Nelson

Gene Morrissette

Mark Melnick

Duane Gandre

Jeff Genovese

Vince Petta

STEEL GUITAR

John Kemmett

SUPPORT CREW

Darlene Sargent

Kimberly Sargent

Jennifer Sargent

John Sargent

George Green 

TROMBONE

Bob Havens

Bill Porter

Tom Bartlett

Herb Draeger

Al Anderson

Jay Allison

Ralph Hutchinson

Steve Blonion

Chuck Barnes

Steve Clarey

Jack Plovannich

Paul Brozowski

John Knurr

Bruce Yeo

Dale Deeds

Glen Lunde

Pete Runde

Bob Kammerman

John Dorsch

Mike Franceski

Don Deal

Bill Rose

Dave Lussier

Chuck Dahlkert

John Klokow

Kyle Samuelson

Richard Kimball

John Steinke

Jim Gagne

Bill Hill

Bob Halseth

Ray Adamczyk

TRUMPET

Bob Schulz

Jeff Pietrangelo

Steve Jensen

Bob Neighbor

Gary Church

Merv Harding

Kaye Berigan

Frank Reda, Jr.

Tom Schlueter

Michael Drake

Mike Plog

Dale Elenich

Allen Johnson

Mike Betz

Jim St. Charles

Kevin Carberry

Howard Schneider

Tom Meredith

Randy Skowronski

Tim Fox

Dave Kapralian

Dan Marbes

Matt Antoniewicz

Jim Kelly

Marty Krebs

Pete Wood

John Rose

Tom Meredith

Justin Olson

Pete Roth

Scott Baker

Gordie Johlke

Ken Accardi

Mark Olen

Jack Granatella

Bill Berlyn

Doug Owens

Mark Wanenmaker

Art Zens

John Ahern

Kevin Stalheim

Bill Davidson

Ben Denison

TUBA

Dave Gannett

John Knurr

Jim Brusky

VIOLIN

Tommy Greywolf

Kayla Luty

VOCALISTS

Jesse Hauck

Chelsea Krombach

Joan Seele

Jill Jensen

Ellen Winters

Ann Denison

Anita Stemper

Peggy Peterson

The Rodo Sisters

Josie Treinen

Diane McCarthy

John Davis

Angela Babler

Lenny Szwiec

Duane Mathes

Stephanie Lewin

Janine Rozina

Evie Dietert

Kathy Meitner

Chris Henkel

Rachel Brost

Ginny Hintz

Jennee Hillbrick

Kristin Sponcia

Nicki Nevermann

Julie Soddy-Gamlin

Pam Schroeder

Diana Carl

Leah Kowalewski

Rachel Krumenauer

Rebekah Moore

Ed Trudeau

Becky Spice

Margaret Fisher

Lucy Parks

Linda Kolpek

Cheryl Vanden Burgt

Terre Cohen

Joaquin Hernandez

Christine Krause

Lisa LeMahieu

Maribeth Sacho

Wayne Zeleski

Michael Cook

Barb Frost

David Seitz

Andrea Gail

Connie Hanner

The Sound Express

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Skip Wagner - Artwork

John W. Hansen - Sound

Dennis Wilkers - Formalwear

*This is NOT a complete list . . . just all I can remember at this time.

This year, Bill is celebrating 40 years as a professional drummer. In that 40 years, he has never missed an engagement for any reason!

Bill began playing piano at age 8 and switched to the drums at age 10.

He was very fortunate to have the world-renown cornetist & vocalist, Bob Schulz, as his mentor and band director for his entire school life from Junior High School through his departure from high school. Bill also was mentored by Dr. James Latimer - University of Wisconsin and Pavel Burda - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Over time, his studies also included lessons with "The Granddaddy of Percussion" Roy Knapp, Gary Gauger of "RIMS" fame, Casey Scheuerell, Franklin Else and Lance Haas. Bill studied music full-time at UWM for about 3 years.

He began playing professionally at age 13 and full-time touring with the world-famous Clyde McCoy at age 16.

Bill started his first full-time band on the road at age 19 and later that year became the musical director and bandleader for the Lloyd Pedersen Show.

In 1976, he located in Milwaukee at age 22  and about 2 years later came off the road and began working full-time with a couple of primary bands and as a "hired gun" with about 30 other bands.

Bill officially launched Bill Sargent Bands on November 18, 1982.

Aside from working with every top musician in Wisconsin, Bill has performed with The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, The Drifters, The Shirelles, Jon Bauman "Bowzer" from Sha-Na-Na & The Stingrays, Terry Blaine & The New York City All-Stars, Buddy Morrow, Charlie Spivak, The Russ Morgan Orchestra, The Ink Spots, Steve Allen, Clyde McCoy, The Jan Garber Orchestra, The Dick Jurgens Orchestra, Bob Havens, Ray McKinley, Ray Brown, James Moody, Marvin Stamm, Buddy DeFranco, Ritchie Cole, Sam Most, Barrett Deems, Chuck Hedges, Dan Nimmer, Henry Cuesta, Bob Schulz, Ed Polcer, Brian Lynch, Bobby Burgess, Kerry Christensen, Jimmy Duffy, Tommy Justice, Tom Artin, Ed Reed, Heinie Beau, Smokie Stover, Bob Hirsh, Bill Hanck, Ruben Ristrom, Bobby Roberts, Dave Bany, Duane Thamm, Dale DeVoe, Vince Giordano, Buddy Apfel, Gary Church, Bobby Gordon, Kim Cusack, Tom Bartlett, John Bany, Russell George, Bobby Lewis, Gene Bolen, Dave Gannett, Art Davis, Jordan Baskin, Lee Richardson, Tom Hook, Steve Jensen, Tommy Griffith, Bob Leary, Joe Lulloff, Ron Thielman, Barney Floyd, Guy Fiorenza, Dan Shapera, The Steamboat Syncopators, The Leningrad Dixieland Band, The Gypsy Hombres, Lou Brown's Firehouse Jazz Band, Sensation Jazz Band, Roger Pemberton, Willie Pickens, Mark Shane, Dave Hazeltine, Jon Weber, Paul Libman, Jimmy Damon, Tony Galante, Cathi Hayes, Herb Jeffries, The Spiral Staircase, Darryl Kennedy, John Cooper, Jerry Martin, The Lloyd Pedersen Show, Heritage, Sam McCue, Jim Schwall, Phil Driscoll, LaMar Boschman, Paul Ferrin, Pat Mesiti, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Randy Ruiz, Radiant Church Worship Team - Colorado Springs, Rory Hoffman, Joe Alme Big Band, Williams & Ree, Annette Griffin, "Miss Iowa" - Sherry Riley, Tony Renard, Ivan Fleming, Dizzy Dean, St. Leo's Catholic Church Choir - Minot ND and many others!

Bill has an extensive website at:

http://billsargent.com/