Dateline February, 22, 2019:

The Generations Big Band with 17 instrumentalists and 2 vocalists was founded in 2010 by Gary Martin and Pam Wall. Presently they play on the third Thursday, each month, of the Milton Club’s weekly dance night schedule.

      

The Milton Club is one of the best dance venues in our area. They have a stage, a beautiful dance floor, bar and kitchen offering reasonably price food and drinks. The building is one level (no steps), and plenty of free safe parking.

I’m sitting, watching people dance and thinking; “what a blessing it is to see all these people, in my general age group, having such good times.” In all of Gable’s travels over the last twenty years and all the entertainment venues that have come and gone; just what is it that so special about what’s going on in front of me? It’s not the band, as great as they are, it’s not the dance floor, as packed as it is – it’s having a club whose goal is providing “Good Times” for it members and their friends. It’s no wonder the Milton Athletic Club is the oldest active chartered private club in the state of Ohio.

Dateline February, 19, 2019:

More of Gable’s Travels??? Well I can’t get around like I used to but I did manage to catch another performance of the Central Jazz Big Band at Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1200 Forrer Blvd in Kettering. It’s my understanding they will be doing it again on the 19th of March and the 16th of April - for $5 or a donation of food items for their pantry; coffee and snacks included - what a deal.

Upcoming on Thursday, February, 28, 2019:

One More Time Swing Band

The One More Time Swing Band is a 10-piece band which plays American big-band music from the nineteen forties – nineteen eighties era plus some of the more current songs. They’ve been entertaining audiences for dancing and concerts since 2004. You can find us on Facebook using our name One More Time Swing Band.

Another new band at the Milton Club, another chance to have "Good Times" for a very affordable price - I'm looking forward to seeing this band and I hope you will join me and Rosemary and we can let the good times roll together.

Dateline February 2, 2019 at the Milton Athletic Club

      After many days of extreme cold and nasty weather and having to cancel one of our Thursday Night events at the Milton Club, Rosemary and I were able to catch a wonderful performance by a group named Mandolin Bridge. 

      I had never seen this band before but their reputation had preceded them due to the buzz that had been going around from our club members. A member asked me what I thought of them midway through their first set and I told him “they have it together.” In retrospect, that was an understatement; you have four performers each with an outstanding voice, each very proficient on their musical instrument who have a polished, comfortable stage presences that comes from having done many shows. In addition, the club manager and I were impressed by the large number of followers that attended their event.

Other Upcoming For James & Moore:

Whole Foods Friday Night Wine Tasting

1050 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd (ST Rt 725)

February 8th From 5-8 Pm

(Future Bookings @ Whole Foods) Mar 22nd

      This group is made up of Jazz Musicians who play Dance, Swing, Rock & Roll music for the pleasure of dancers at the Milton Club. They have been well received and appreciated by those who have attended their events.
      If you haven't had the chance to see them perform, you should make a point to attend this Thursday's event!

      Reminder - on Tuesday, February 19th you can catch a performance of the Central Jazz Big Band at Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1200 Forrer Blvd in Kettering for $5 or a donation of food items for their pantry; coffee and snacks included - what a deal.

The month for Romance: Come out for great music whether you dance or just watch, you won’t be disappointed! Hope to see you there!

One More Time Swing Band

The One More Time Swing Band is a 10-piece band which plays American big-band music from the nineteen forties – nineteen eighties era plus some of the more current songs. We’ve been entertaining audiences for dancing and concerts since 2004. You can find us on Facebook using our name One More Time Swing Band.

Our instrumentation includes 4 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, bass and drums. Audrey Wright is our primary vocalist and MC and does a fabulous job of singing and entertaining audiences and also plays trombone. We have a number of outstanding instrumental soloists in the band including: Tom Benner – retired Air Force band, Stu King – veteran player, retired educator, and Navy band instructor, Denny Dutcher – retired area music educator, Mike Dilbone – a great jazz trumpet player, and Mitch Dilbone on trombone – who spent some time on the road with the Glenn Miller band. Our lead alto and Music Director is Alan Schmidllap who played at Kings Island in the summertime when he was in college and was formerly a music educator. All combined , our members have many hundreds of years of playing experience with many different area bands.

Our Objective

Our objective is to play the music you want to hear.

We want you to find yourself suddenly singing the words as we play your favorite songs.

We want to play the music that inspires you to dance.

We want to play the music that provides a beat that is easy to dance to and we want to bring back fond memories of the big band sound and swing dancing.

We simply want to have fun and entertain our audiences.

We want you to have us back one more time – at least!

 You can contact us at dickray1@woh.rr.com or call 937-602-2166

(Click Here)

Dateline November 8, 2018 at the Milton Athletic Club

     The "Next One UP Quintet" was made up from jammers that play regularly at Jazz Central in Dayton. Their leader Grant “King” Koeller (retired Air Force Band of Flight) played bass on this occasion. Joining Grant was Todd Bridges on drums, Jason Swann on saxophone, Ayn Wood  on vocals and Cameron Voorhees (also an Air Force Band of Flight retiree) on guitar. The played Jazz, Rock and Roll, Pop and Dance music for those in attendance. 

      At one point during the performance they played Johnny Be Good with Cameron featured on the guitar and doing the vocals. Ayn Wood did a beautiful job on vocals such as Georgia On My Mind, The Tennessee Waltz and more. At another point Grant called out Wooly Bully during which, one of the club members jumped up and did The Monkey on the dance floor. The idea of a Jazz Band not doing dance music was disproved by the number of folks on the floor through out the evening.

     The Milton Club’s motto is Good Times and on this night good times were had by all in attendance. 
    If you have never been to the club; its location at 640 Cosler Drive in the Eastern Hills neighborhood has been its home for over 50 years. It was established in 1914, the Milton Athletic Club is the oldest active chartered private club in the state of Ohio.
   
      You might consider coming to the club on a Monday Night when the Kettering Banjo Society has their practice starting at 7:00 pm or on a Thursday Night to watch or join the dancers, again starting at 7:00 pm. Both nights are oen to the public very affordable. Food is available both evenings. -- Ron Gable

Counting my blessing - giving my thanks to all!

Ron Gable

What is a "Jazz Jam?"

      Over the years, many have asked me, “Just what is a Jazz Jam? “ Without getting technical, the easy answer is; a venue like Jazz Central, who has been doing Sunday Night Jams for close to fifty years, hires a core group to perform and then lets anyone who shows up to sit in with the group. Sometimes they have to take turns, which is handled by the Jam leader. Many times it’s just another evening of good inexpensive entertainment but there are times, when depending upon who shows up, it’s magic and some of the best jazz anywhere.

     Having talked Grant Koeller into doing a gig on my birthday and since he has been leading the Jazz Jams at Jazz Central (2932 E. 3rd. St. in Dayton) in recent years, I asked him if we could open my event and invite other jazz musicians and vocalist form our area to sit in. That would give them a chance to see what the Milton is like as a performance venue. It is my hope that some of my Jazz musicians (and vocalist) might have the desire to join us.

More Good Times at the Milton Club:

Upcoming June Events at the Milton Athletic Club

Thursday, June 14th:

Thursday, June 14th:

Thursday, June 21st:

Thursday, June 28th:

Upcoming, Open to the Public, May Events at the Milton Athletic Club:

      As a recently new member, I'm still trying to get a handle on the entertainment events coming to our club. I will proceed like I know what I'm talking about, but since we know that is not always the case, feel free to add your comments and corrections at the bottom of this blog. -- Ron Gable 

We'll start with this note from the men's room:

     

      Some comments on the above note: There are some regular and one new, open to the public, events that are not listed:

      Line Dancing Instruction with Kevin Glueckert every Sunday from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.
     The Kettering Banjo Society has practice sessions every Monday that are free and open to the public. They run from 7:00 to 8:30 pm  and a special limited menu during their sessions.

      Tom Benner & Friends event will take place on Thursday, May 31st from 7:00 to 9:00 pm with a $5.00 cover for non-members.

      Rum River Blend, based in Troy, Ohio bill themselves as 'Unprofessional Entertainment'!  The band takes its name from the Rum River that flows through Linda's hometown of Milaca, Minnesota. They perform a blend of traditional bluegrass, folk, Gospel and children's songs. The audience is encouraged to join in on the fun as kazoos, spoons, washboards, and various other noise making instruments are often passed out to the crowd.