From the Boone County Journal (11/19/10)

“The Little Big Band” Releases Blue Moon
By Lisa Palmeno
The Little Big Band formed as a 5-piece group back in 1997 and grew to a 7-piece act with a horn section; now the group that describes itself as “The little band with the big sound” will release their first CD, Blue Moon, at Alvarez Mexican Restaurant in Cherry Valley on Saturday, November 27. Blue Moon features 15 standards and favorites, mainly from the 1930s, that bandleader Carey Sheley arranged. He said he gave the title song, “Blue Moon, “the treatment,” by “speeding it up into a Latin feel, almost like a cha-cha.” Sheley said he chose songs, such as “Moon River,” “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “The Very Thought of You,” and “Beautiful Love,” because they are songs he likes and to “showcase my arranging abilities.” The band focuses on big band, swing and jazz, offering music from the 1950s and 1960s and even some more contemporary 1980s’ and 1990s’ picks as well, but Sheley said more than half of the songs on the album are from the 1930s. Sheley started playing trombone in the 7th grade and began as a professional performer in 1980. When asked if he was always into jazz, he replied, “Pretty much from the start,” because of a junior high instructor who influenced him. Other early influences were trombonists such as Wayne Henderson, Bill Watrous and, his personal favorite, Carl Fontana. The band members are a mix of local musicians who have entertained area residents with the Moonlight Jazz Band and various other acts. Members include veteran musician Ken Stein on tenor sax; Randy Schneebeger on trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals; Ken Kilian on alto and baritone saxes; Tom Stein on keyboards; Candlewick resident Dave Sterner on drums; and the name synonymous with jazz in Rockford, Guy Fiorenza, on bass. Sheley also sings for the band, as does Diane Lewis of Fontana, Wisconsin, who sings “Moon River” on the CD. Lewis got them a gig at the Abbey and at the country club in the Lake Geneva Conservancy Holly Ball in 2009. Michelle Duvall of Edgerton, Wisconsin, is the featured singer on the CD’s version of “The Very Thought of You.” Sheley became a bandleader after many years on the road as a professional. After graduating from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (St. Louis area) with a master’s degree in music performance in 1990, he traveled with Glenn Miller’s “ghost band” for six years. Between the Glenn Miller Band and The Sun Cruise Ship, he has seen most of the world. The Glenn Miller Band took him to all 50 states, to Japan six times, and on to Central and South America. The Sun took him to the Mediterranean, the South Pacific and even Africa. When he got back to Rockford, drummer Jack Brandt and some of the others decided to form a group, and Sheley started writing arrangements for the larger group they eventually grew to be. Sheley said about said about jazz, “I have enjoyed it immensely.” The CDs are $15 but will be discounted to $12 at the release party. Sheley mentioned Christmas presents, and music is a gift one can enjoy throughout the year. For those who can’t get one at the party, they will be for sale at www. sheley.net, CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon.com. The first of two sets will begin at 2 p.m., and other “goodies” have been thrown in to make it a nice time. Light hors d’ oeuvres will be served and there will be giveaways. A cash bar will also be available. The party is free and open to the public. Alvarez Mexican Restaurant is located at 1600 Bell School Road in Cherry Valley, Illinois. To contact the band, call Sheley at 815-398-2848 or email musicalservices@sheley.net.