WADDINGTON – Since The Jack Kelley Little Big Band was formed eight years ago, band members said they have delighted in exciting audiences with jazz and Swing Era music from the 40s and 50s.

The band will perform standards and contemporary classics from Duke Ellington and George Gershwin and standards from Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” to Leonard Berstein’s “New York, New York” from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Island View Park, Main Street.

“We try to get people to dance during ‘New York, New York,’” said Jack L. Kelley, band leader and Army Band veteran. “It’s a motivator and people know Frank Sinatra. We try to keep it in the style and way that he would do it.”

The band will also perform hits from popular musicals like Chicago, Mr. Kelley said. The Overtones, a group of singers within the band, will be singing along with some of the tunes.

The band is made up of 16 musicians from the local area of different professions including retired music teachers and recent crane school graduates. Members’ ages range from early 20s to early 80s. The band will use trumpets, a keyboard, trombone, drums, bass electric guitar, clarinet to get the audiences’ toes tapping.

“Something they are familiar with and can dance to we try to have the space in front of the band,” said Mr. Kelley. “We are a dance band and that’s what we try to encourage, so people can be free to enjoy themselves.”

The concert is sponsored by the SeaComm Federal Credit Union and is free to the public. Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be held at the Old Town Hall, Main Street.

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