By Catherine Ellis
Get set for some great Orcatrazz swing band music at the next Brown Bag Concert at Emmanuel Church on Wednesday, August 11. The concert will begin at noon on the lawn (weather permitting) next to the church.
The group explains that the name Orcatrazz came about because like those on Alcatraz they are “sort of trapped on (the) island….but we love it”. The band plays music mostly from the swing band era and performs 6 to 8 show a year for community events, dances, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and brown bags.
Bandleader Ken Speck performed and traveled with his own band for a number of years before putting together Orcatrazz here on Orcas Island. The members of the band range in experience from amateur to professional, including students, music teachers, and studio musicians. They have serious fun and enjoy making music of the big band era, occasionally even adding a rock and roll song for the younger crowd.
CD’s are available and proceeds benefit the Orcas Family Health Center.
Members of the band include Ken Speck, musicians Bob Littlewood, Tom Slater, Sam Windsor, Judy Whiting, Ginny Hawker, Kailley Grantham, Karen Key Speck, Bruce Heller, Pat Muffett, Dave Durand, Russ Harvey, Ron Myers, Lizz Hanks, Chris Waage, and Randy Jezierski, and vocalist Beth Baker.
The concert is, as always, free of charge but the Music Committee at Emmanuel welcomes donations which are used to fund a scholarship for young Orcas musicians to attend music camp in the summer.
