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Story and Photos by Brad Walseth
Lovers of Big Band Jazz were in for a treat Saturday night at Andy's as the John Burnette Orchestra covered the stage on some of the floor for their performance. Joined by veteran songstress, Frieda Lee, Burnett and his band pleased the crowd with their versions of standards like the Count Basie's arrangements of "Splanky,""Three Little Words" and "April in Paris," Ted Heath's arrangement of Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" and an incendiary take on Buddy Rich's "West Side Story" medley.
This band is tight and well-rehearsed, and show obvious dedication to presenting this great music. The animated Burnett is a charismatic showman, and he and the orchestra deserve a lot of credit for all their efforts to bring back the glory era of the big bands. Meanwhile, vocalist Frieda Lee is a treasure who never fails to stir the crowd. Songs like "Who's Sorry Now,""Jersey Bounce" and "Motown Swing" had the audience smiling and swaying to the swing.
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