Big band swings back into Estacada Feb. 12

Art Abrams and Swing Machine Big Band to perform Feb. 12

By Evan Jensen

The Estacada News, Feb 3, 2010

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Estacada resident Art Abrams was entranced by the sound of big band music long before the average American owned a television in the 1930s and 1940s.

As a teenager in Hollywood, Calif., Abrams fell in love with music by big band legends Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and Count Basie, and the sound of the trumpet. He bought his first Selmer trumpet more than 45 years ago, started emulating the trumpet stylings of Harry James and Chet Baker, and has been part of the big band music scene ever since.

He later moved to Estacada and made his mark as a musician, performer, radio DJ and leader of the 17-member big band called “Swing Machine.” Last year, Abrams was inducted into the Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame and was a featured performer at the Mount Hood Jazz Festival.

On Feb. 12, Abrams and the Swing Machine Big Band will perform at the Estacada Auditorium, 500 N.E. Main, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for the Estacada Together-sponsored event are $10 adults; $25 family; $7 student or senior.

The Estacada Chamber of Commerce will host a pre-concert event at the Estacada Mason Building Dance Hall, 366 S.E. Broadway, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. that includes a concert ticket, swing dance lessons, and a catered dinner, dessert and beverage. Tickets are $30 adult; $20 student or senior; and are available at the Estacada Chamber of Commerce office, 475 S.E. Main Street, online at www.estacadatogether.org, or by calling 503-630-1300. Tickets are also available at The Painted Cupboard, 373 S. Broadway.

“Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band was one of Estacada Together’s first events to present, soon after we formed as a performing arts presenting organization,” Estacada Together President Mary Ann Bugni said. “That concert was held on March 6, 2004, as a joint benefit for the Estacada High School music department and the Estacada Auditorium renovations.”

The last time Abrams performed in Estacada with his band, the EHS Music Boosters created a night club-style atmosphere in the high school commons. When Abrams and his band return on Feb. 12, the performers will bring the same energy and love for big band classics that have earned them local and international acclaim.

“Art Abrams is a longtime Estacada resident whose big band has performed as a concert jazz band and a swing dance band at every major concert series in Oregon, including the Mt. Hood Festival of Jazz,” Estacada Together member Kathy Jensen said. “The band has unique arrangements of old standards as well as contemporary jazz and swing works that bring new energy and depth to their performances. They have a loyal following amongst the swing and ballroom dancers in the area.”

To pay tribute to his early beginnings as a musician in his teens, Abrams will invite some Estacada High School band students to perform with the Swing Machine for the first four songs of the concert. There will also be an area for dancing at the concert.