Vets Get All Jazzed Up
Jan 26, 2023 12:00AM ● By Story and photos by Elise Spleiss
Performing at the Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center on January 21, Moon Glow is well known in the community performing at all venues both public and private.
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - On Saturday, January 21, jazz band Moon Glow *Pleasant Memories* performed at the Veterans Community Center of Citrus Heights. The concert was packed with audience favorites from the 1930’s to the 1980’s.
Band leader and singer Tom Carpenter played a mean saxophone for many of their songs. Each song came with its history and some surprising trivia on the artist. Their first piece, ‘Moonglow’ from 1930’s swing era set the tone for the evening, followed by the Star-Spangled Banner.
Carpenter introduced ‘Proud Mary’ saying that John Fogerty was a Vietnam era veteran. He served in the Army Reserve in the 1960’s. He introduced Glenn Miller’s number one dance tune, “In the Mood,” stating he also was a veteran. Miller, considered “father of the modern US military bands” according to Wikipedia, volunteered to join the Army to entertain the troops during World War II, ending up in the US Army Air Force.
The band played ‘It’s Now or Never’, another song from a famous veteran, Elvis Presley. Presley served in the Army/Army Reserve from 1958 to 1964. According to history.army.military, Presley served in two different armor battalions, serving in Germany for two years.
Latin offerings included ‘Spanish Eyes’ and Gene Autry’s ‘San Antonio Rose.’ Already a famous entertainer, the ‘Singing Cowboy’ entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and served until 1945.
No veterans concert would be complete without the Military Medley, paying tribute to the five branches of the military. The concert ended with ‘This Land is My Land.’
Tom Carpenter was a U.S. Army Air Force bombardier navigator Vietnam, Jerry Croofoot, former U.S. Navy was on drums and his wife, Judy Steinle on keyboard. On guitar was Kevin Culcasa.
Students from Valley Christian Academy in Roseville and Destiny Church in Rocklin volunteered their time and energy setting up, serving refreshments and even provided some impromptu dance steps up front by Zoe Vernaza (16) and Emily Ramiez (18), to John Denver’s ‘Country Road’, and a band staple, ‘YMCA.’ The audience loved the energy of the youth.
It was a fast-moving night filled with memories that only music can provide.
The band will return for an encore performance.
For more information of the Veteran’s Community Center (VCC) and to view their calendar, go to www.veteranscommunitycenterch.com or call 916-806-4852 to volunteer.
