The Moonlighters big band wanted to end their shortened season with a fundraiser that was close to several of the players’ hearts.
Proceeds from the band’s concert, which took place at La Hacienda Regional Recreation Complex on June 9, will support Villagers for Veterans. Because several members of the band are veterans, this is an especially meaningful cause for them.
“It’s a great way to raise some money for the cause,” group leader Len Savery said.
The regular 18-piece big band also featured vocalists Zanna Duckett and Diana Arlt with Susan and Mark O’Brien performing a tango in the second half of the show.
“We’re fortunate to put together a nice library of music with some unusual arrangements,” said Savery, of the Village of Caroline. “It’s very danceable and enjoyable to listen to.”
Bogdonoff founded Villagers for Soldiers six years ago to help badly wounded veterans regain their independence through various initiatives.
“I was thrilled with the idea (of the concert),” said Bogdonoff, of the Village of Pine Ridge. “That was very generous and wonderful of Len (to do this).”
Attendees heard music from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s that is attractive to the feet as well as the ears. The band performed a cover of the Diamonds’ “Little Darlin’.”
While the band was on leave owing to the coronavirus pandemic last year, a couple of members died of non-COVID-related ailments, while a few others relocated.
About five new members were eventually added to the group.
While living on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Savery established the Moonlighters, which lasted roughly 25 years. During the summer, it remained busy with some monthly engagements in Sandwich, Massachusetts.
“I gave the history of the song before we played it, a few tidbits like who played it, who wrote,” Savery said. “The band gets tired of hearing it, but the audience enjoys hearing it.”
After getting to know several of the musicians in The Villages, Savery began working on the updated version in February 2017.
“The band was one thing I missed from leaving the cape,” Savery said.
Savery had put his trumpet away in junior high when he decided to join the football team instead of the band. After 25 years, Savery decided to pick up the trumpet again, inspired by a song he wrote when he brought the trumpet home to learn to play in the school band.
Savery joined the Chatham Band on Cape Cod and founded the Moonlighters as a result of his experiences with them.
“It was a labor of love,” Savery said.
The Moonlighters will take the summer break after this performance and reassemble in the first week of September.
