The July 16 Sheriff Support Group Summer Concert at Farnsworth Park will be the Down Beat Express Big Band with vocalist Jennifer Gates and trumpeter Paul Cacia, directed by Pat Emmett. Show starts at 7 PM, and admission is free.
The Down Beat Express was founded nearly 30 years ago by Pasadena area saxophonist Safford Chamberlain. A year or so later Safford passed the baton to Pat Emmett and the rest is a long swingin’ history of concerts, corporate and charity banquets, wedding receptions, dances and the CD recording “The Silver Project”. CDs will be available for purchase during and after the concert.
This performance will feature the band playing original arrangements of classics to appear on their next CD release “Big Band My Way”: new treatments of hits from the Big Band era’s Tommy Dorsey, Charley Barnet, Les Elgart, Gene Krupa and more.
Jennifer Gates, vocalist: The evening will showcase the formidable vocal talents of MCA recording artist Jennifer Gates singing new arrangements of American Song Book standards that have made her the hit of hundreds of Down Beat Express engagements. Jennifer can be heard regularly in area supper clubs with her trio and will appear on the upcoming Down Beat Express CD “Big Band My Way”.
All material performed at this concert has been arranged by band members especially for the Down Beat Express and Miss Gates.
PAUL CACIA, trumpet: Paul Cacia is a trumpet legend recognized throughout the world. He is counted among one of the greatest living high note trumpet showmen today, celebrating over half a century as a trumpet soloist, orchestra leader, and producer.
He studied as the protégé to trumpet master Claude Gordon and was the pupil to Duke Ellington trumpeter “Cat” Anderson. Mentored by Louie Bellson, he began working professionally at the age of 16 playing on The Louie Bellson Big Band and joining the Buddy Miles Express touring the country during the golden glamour days of rock n’ roll.
As a guest star, he’s been the opening act for the rock group “Chicago” before 60,000 people, appeared with Pia Zadora in Lake Tahoe at the Sahara Hotel and appeared at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas as well as with Tito Puente, the “King Of Latin Jazz”.
He has appeared seven times as the guest soloist to standing ovations before sold out crowds with the Mormon Tabernacle Symphony and 300 voice choir and appeared in concert before the admiral of the fleet aboard the largest nuclear aircraft carrier, the John C. Stennis.
Mr. Cacia has eight studio recordings to his name with his own all star jazz orchestra featuring over 50 jazz legends. Perhaps most meaningful of all is that he has worked with, for and alongside most of the great sideman and stars of the 20th century as well as earning the accolades of the most significant and greatest entertainers of the 20th century.
His brilliant sound, soaring upper register and mastery as well as effortless technique are an identifiably sound all his own. Perhaps Frank Sinatra, the Chairman Of The Board put it best, calling him “a trumpet giant … an absolute joy!”
Down Beat Express: Sat., July 16, at Farnsworth Park Amphitheatre, 7 PM.
