Band pays tribute to Hoagy Charmichael

Under a high ceiling lined with white Christmas lights, the Al Cobine Big Band gave guests a chance to swing dance the night away at “Stardust Melodies” – a tribute to Bloomington’s own jazz musician, Hoagy Carmichael.\n“The best way for us to honor and appreciate Hoagy Carmichael’s legend is by playing his music here tonight,” said Carl Weinberg, president of Jazz from Bloomington.\nThe event, held at the Bloomington Convention Center, kicked off with swing dance lessons taught by two students from the IU Swing Dance Club. About 20 participants joined in a circle on the hardwood dance floor to “rock, step and twirl” as onlookers cheered for those brave enough to show off their moves.\n“My freshman year I saw swing dancers at Culture Fest, and have been a part of the club ever since,” said junior Yun William Yu, a member of the IU Swing Dance club who helped teach lessons. “As a chemistry, math and German major, it’s something I really enjoy doing to wind down.”\nFollowing the swing lessons, the Al Cobine Big Band took to the stage and played a set that band director Mike Lucas said was one of Hoagy’s more bucolic tunes. Eager dancers quickly left their candlelit tables and strolled up to the stage, ready for the music to begin.\n“I’d like to slow it down for you and play one of Hoagy’s classics from the 1930s,” Lucas said of the song “Lazy Bones.” “His songs have such a nostalgic feel to them.”\nOther Carmichael hits performed included “Bread and Gravy,” “Up a Lazy River” and “Washboard Blues” – a song Lucas said sounds like it was written by someone with immense talent who didn’t quite know how to play yet.\n“When he grew rich and famous, Hoagy Carmichael became a Hollywood guy,” Lucas said. “Those were exciting times back then in Hollywood – but we are going to play a little tune of his that is appropriately named ‘Can’t get Indiana Off of My Mind.’”\nThe rolling cymbal and marching piano ballads of the tune enticed the biggest crowd of dancers for the evening – younger participants twirled and spun their partners while their older counterparts slowly swayed back and forth with their partners.\nThe evening continued with a slide show presentation of Carmichael’s life and concluded with more swing dancing and music from the Al Cobine Big Band.\n“It is unlikely that conditions will ever again create a Hoagy Carmichael,” said announcer and photographer Duncan Schiedt while he presented his slide show on the musician. “For that one priceless copy, we are ever grateful.”