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


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.