About 25 years ago, Bud Forrest, a Juilliard-trained pianist and accompanist for the U.S. Air Force Chorus, wanted to put together a singing group to celebrate the music of the Andrews Sisters.
“We did a couple corporate events,” Forrest said, and within five years, the singing act grew to be a theatrical event complete with big band instrumentalists, choreography and costuming dedicated to the music of the 1930s and 1940s.
Known as “In The Mood,” the big band theatrical review, created and produced by Forrest, comes to CLC in Grayslake Feb. 19, where tickets are nearly sold out.
Forrest said in 1993, the group performed on the steps of the National Archives on Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. to a crowd of 5,000.
“In 1994 and ’95 we started traveling,” and now the troupe has performed in 48 states as well as in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
“I never thought in 2017, I’d be doing this,” Forrest said.
“People love this music. The songs are timeless. They are part of our American culture and history. They were written by great song writers – and these songs all say something.”
For example, “Stardust,” was written about 90 years ago, “and it’s still with us. It is one of the most recorded songs in history. It’s a melody that will stand the test time.”
The big band era “has never gone away,” he added. It’s just settled along with all the other great musical styles Americans love, he said.
“I think people like it because they are energized and feel the strength of that combination of the instruments and the arrangements and the great singers, and the songs we have,” Forrest said.
Six singers and dancers perform with a jazz band of trumpets, trombones, saxophones and a rhythm section with Forrest playing piano.
They perform tunes such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Tuxedo Junction.”
“We do at least 50 songs in the show. It’s more than two hours of non-stop entertainment,” Forrest said.
They present the show as if, “We’re coming to Grayslake in 1940 – and people get to sense what it was like to hear that music and see it performed in that era.”
Forrest said the show is suitable for “kids from 8 to 98,” and includes audience participation.
He said he experiences joy from being out on stage “making people smile, cry and cheer. I never take this for granted. I get up every morning and give thanks for the opportunity to do what we do.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
‘In The Mood’
When: 3 p.m., Feb. 19
Where: James Lumber Center, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake
Tickets: $15-$48
Information: 847-543-2300; www.jlc.clcillinois.edu
