“Jazz seems to be cool again in Ventura County,” observed a recent article in the Ventura County Reporter. Local venues, including restaurants, service clubs, neighborhood bars, and area jazz clubs, were places to hear jazz played again. But jazz and big band music are nothing new for the Seniors of Note Big Band. The band, formed in Camarillo, California, 27 years ago has played under the leadership of Emily Vaniman since 1999. It’s thought to be the longest continuously playing band in the area. The band traveled about 90 minutes south to Canoga Park to entertain at the seasonal holiday highlight program of the Valley Jazz Club on December 2.
Originally founded as an all-senior musician big band over time that policy had to be relaxed to keep the band instrumentally balanced and move forward with top-notch players. Their renditions of well known, popular tunes were played with enthusiasm and power, strong on-beat punch and traditional big band sound that quickly perked-up my ears.
These guys and gals demonstrated their skills on tune after tune, honed to perfection through the mandatory full-on weekly practice sessions that leader Emily Vaniman insists upon. The instrumental ensemble harmonies were precise and beautiful for dancers to follow and listeners to enjoy. A number of solos served as enhancements and demonstrated individual playing skills. The very exacting, tig
