Hepcats and boogie woogie bugle boys will be in their element come next Wednesday.
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The 13-piece American swing jazz band, In the Mood, will hit Ballarat with a night of 1940s nostalgic fun sure to please both anyone who was alive at the time, as well as young people hit with the retro bug.
Music director and pianist Bud Forrest said it made sense the popularity of 1940s music had endured for so long.
“The music obviously has a timeless effect on people. These are great melodies and lyrics that really say something to everybody – from the World War II generation to today’s young people,” he said.
“Back in the 1940s, everybody was listening to big band – on the radio, on records, and dance halls. But that was the last time everyone was listening to the same type of music.
“Today there are so many disparate choices out there with the internet, but throughout the various styles there seems to be a magical style of these songs. It’s stood the test of time.”
He said its enduring appeal was the reason why modern artists like Bette Midler, Michael Bublé, Christina Aguilera and Willie Nelson still performed 1940s-style music.
Forrest described the big band sound as “its own orchestra”, originating from an important era in history.
“You could argue that the 1940s was the most significant decade of the 20th century because of World War II,” he said.
“(Big band encapsulated) the sound they were fighting for and it gave people spirit and energy. That was transmitted down to their children and grandchildren.
“We just want people to appreciate what the music meant to western war time. The music is the story.”
In the Mood notably performed at the inaugural ball for Bill Clinton in 1997, but Forrest said the group preferred to play their touring gigs.
“There were 12 different events going on that night, so it was a wonderful experience,” Forrest said.
“More importantly, we’re here in Australia and I’d rather entertain 1000 people in Ballarat than do that every day.”
The group was officially selected to perform at the 50th commemoration of World War II in 1993, and spent the next 10 years travelling to more than 49 states throughout America as well as Canada, Europe and New Zealand. They have performed more than 80 sold-out shows in Australia over two separate visits.
In the Mood will perform at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts on September 21. www.wcpa.com.au
