2023 Summer Show Program
"Celebrate September and Sinatra!"
Director Michael Howard
A professional trumpet player and music composer and arranger with over 50 years of experience, Michael Howard is a new "player" in the Raleigh area! He moved here from Florida but comes here by way of Nashville, New York, and a lot of other places in between where he has lived (when not on a tour bus) and performed!
Michael has been a professional trumpeter, Band Leader, and Arranger since early in his life (age 14). His early start led to him being in the Ft. Lauderdale Symphony at 16, 1st Trumpet in the state of Florida (FMEA) at 17, 1st Trumpeter on scholarship at the University of Miami for several years (Bachelor/Music), then on to a full-time career as musician & educator.
He has been a studio trumpeter in 3 locales: Nashville, Miami, and Orlando, played Broadway Musicals in NYC (A Chorus Line, etc.), and played Lead Trumpet with numerous Big Bands: Glenn Miller Orchestra, Larry Elgart B.B., Bo Thorpe Orchestra (which was based in Rocky Mount, NC), Billy Maxted’s Manhattan Jazz Band, and about 100 others. He also was the only official leader of the Charlie Spivak Orchestra after Charlie’s passing.
Some of the TV shows, Recordings, and Acts with which he performed are: Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Robert Goulet, Sonny & Cher, Bobby Vinton, the Spinners, Seals & Crofts, Nelson Ned, Jerry Reed, Andy Williams, the Miss USA Pageant, the Dove Awards, etc.
Michael Howard performs exclusively on custom-made mouthpieces by John Stork.
Find yours at StorkCustom.com
Michael uses 2 “vintage” horns:
Besson Meha by Kanstul Trumpet (ca. 1982)
Clark Terry Model Olds Flugelhorn (ca. 1972)
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Brad Wilson, CFP Edward Jones, Cary, NC (919) 854-2456
The Calton Group - Allstate Insurance, Paul Calton, Owner, Smithfield, NC
Around Town Singers and Orchestra, Clayton, NC
Bigfoot Labs, Clayton, NC
Garner Optimist Club, Garner, NC
Joseph C. Woodard Printing Company, Raleigh, NC
Mezcalito Grill & Tequila Bar, located in Clayton, Apex, Durham and more!
The Eye Institute, located in 5 locations: Downtown Raleigh, North Raleigh, Wake Forest, Knightdale and Davidson.
We encourage you to contact these locally-owned sponsors and become a client of theirs!
The Program: Set 1...
Bandstand Boogie ---- by Charles Albertine - Arr. Pete Korey
Little Brown Jug ---- by Bill Finnegan - Arr. Eric Burger
Hay Burner ---- Composed & Arranged by Sammy Nestico
When You’re Smiling ---- by L. Shay, M. Fisher & J. Goodwin - Arr. Nelson Riddle
Don’t Worry About Me ---- by R. Bloom & T. Koehler – Arr. Nelson Riddle
Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree ---- by L. Brown, C. Tobias & S. Stept – Arr. Myles Collins
September Song ---- by K. Weill; Arr. Unknown; Edited M.C. Howard
Big, Bad Handsome Man ---- by Imelda May - Arr. M.C. Howard
My Funny Valentine ---- by Rodgers & Hart – Arr. Mike Smukal
Green Onions ---- by A. Jackson, Jr., L. Steinberg, B.T. Jones & S. Cropper – Arr. Roger Holmes
Orange Colored Sky ---- by M. DeLugg & W. Stein – Arr. Roger Holmes
September Morn ---- by N. Diamond & G. Becaud - Arr. M.C. Howard
The Program: Set 2
Gonna Fly Now ---- by B. Conti, C. Connors & A. Robbins - Arr. Jay Chattaway
September ---- by M. White, A. McKay & A. Willis – Arr. Mark Taylor
Duke Ellington Medley ---- Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn -- Arr. Walt Stuart
Something’s Got A Hold On Me ---- by E. James, L. Kirkland & P. Woods - Arr. M.C. Howard
Peter Gunn ---- by H. Mancini – Arr. Frank Comstock
The Moon Was Yellow ---- by F.E. Ahlert – Arr. M.C. Howard
On the Sunny Side of the Street ---- by J. McHugh & D. Fields – Arr. Sammy Nestico
Up A Lazy River ---- by H. Carmichael – Arr. Bob Florence; Transcribed by Paul Hemmer & M.C. Howard
See You In September ---- by S. Wayne & S. Edwards - Arr. M.C. Howard
Summer Wind ---- by H. Mayer & J. Mercer – Arr. Nelson Riddle
New York, New York ---- by F. Ebb & J. Kander – Arr. Don Costa
In the Mood ---- by J. Garland – Arr. Glenn Miller
Photos courtesy of Diane Schafer Photography, Wilmington, NC. Professional photographer of family portraits, business headshots, Wilmington NC. (dianeschafer.com).
Guest Vocalist: Bill Miller
Vocalist Bill Miller is a top “Frank Sinatra” stylist. He resides in the Palm Beach area and performs in the local clubs and restaurants there, as well as touring Florida and the New Jersey locales.
Not only is Bill an excellent “Singer of Frank Sinatra Songs & the American Songbook”, he is one of the leading experts in the life and music of Frank Sinatra.
As a young woodwind musician and son of a successful big band leader, Bill discovered the amazing music of Sinatra and began to build a massive collection of LP’s and books to study Sinatra’s life and recordings. Later, he decided to use his own fine voice to begin a singing career honoring the famous singer. As such, Bill performs along the East Coast and has been a regular guest on the Palm Beach “Legends Radio Station” show, “Friday Feature.”
As a long time friend of NRBB's Director, Michael Howard, Bill is looking forward to stopping in North Carolina to join the Neuse River Big Band on their Labor Day Weekend Show, as he continues on his tour to New Jersey and back to Florida.