Joe Giattina Orchestra: Difference between revisions

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(New page: '''The Joe Giattina Orchestra''' is a big band based in Birmingham, Alabama, founded by the late Joe Giattina. Joe Giattina’s love for music lasted from his days as first violinist with...)
 
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'''The Joe Giattina Orchestra''' is a big band based in Birmingham, Alabama, founded by the late Joe Giattina.  Joe Giattina’s love for music lasted from his days as first violinist with the Ensley High School orchestra through his days as leader of the popular [[Bama Cardinals Big Band]], and continued even after he gave up the band December 31, 1992. Joe, who formed his first band in the 1930’s, hoped to make his living as a bandleader, but found that music would not support his family, so he took a position with Brown Service Insurance Company, later called [[Liberty National Insurance Company]]. He eventually became vice president of the company from which he retired in 1974.
'''The Joe Giattina Orchestra''' is a [[Birmingham]]-based big band which specializes in dinner music, latin & cha-cha dances, waltzes, swing, Dixieland and big-band jazz. The group started in the early 1970s as a 17-piece Shrine band playing free engagements as a community service. [[Joe Giattina]], by then a 50-year veteran of the Birmingham jazz scene, took over as band leader in [[1978]]. From then until [[1992]] the group took the name of Giattina's earlier outfit, "Joe Giattina and his [[Bama Cardinals]]".


The later Bama Cardinals, which started as a Shrine band playing free engagements, realized they needed a strong leader to get the band going, and Joe seemed like the obvious answer. He became their leader in 1978. The band was called ''Joe Giattina and his Bama Cardinals'' until he turned the band over to Don Cornutt in 1992, when the name was changed to ''The Joe Giattina Orchestra''. Don led the band until 1997, when it was turned over to [[Bill Jeffries]], the present leader.
When Giattina handed the baton to [[Don Cornutt]] on [[December 31]], [[1992]] the group was renamed The Joe Giattina Orchestra in his honor. He remained close to the band until his death in [[1998]]. The current director is trombonist [[Bill Jeffries]], who assumed leadership in June [[1997]]. The band often accompanied cabaret singer [[Mary Ogletree]] (an [[Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame]] inductee). Classically-trained singer [[Emily Herring]] is now the orchestra's featured vocalist.
 
Joe’s lovely wife, Grace, always first in his life—even above his music--passed away in 1994. After she had a stroke, Joe spent as much time as possible with her. They were married 60 years, and her death took its toll on Joe.
 
Even after retiring from the band, Joe remained in close contact with all the guys. The orchestra has been together 24 years, playing in Birmingham and surrounding cities for wedding receptions, dance clubs, deb parties, birthday celebrations, anniversary parties, and for many civic organizations. They always end their year in the Grand Ball Room at [[The Club]] at the top of Red Mountain,
 
The Joe Giattina Orchestra CD is dedicated to Joe Giattina, who passed away August 1998. Through his love and devotion to big band music they are “Still Swinging.”


Throughout its existence, the Joe Giattina Orchestra has stayed busy playing in Birmingham and surrounding cities for wedding receptions, dance clubs, debutante balls, birthday celebrations, anniversary parties, and at special events for many civic organizations. The orchestra is the featured house band each New Year's Eve in the grand ballroom at [[The Club]] on [[Red Mountain]].


==Discography==
* The Joe Giattina Orchestra. (2002) ''Still Swinging''


== External Link ==
== External Link ==
* [http://www.joegiattina.com The Joe Giattina Orchestra] official website


* [http://www.joegiattina.com/index.htm The Joe Giattina Orchestra] official website
[[Category:Jazz bands]]
[[Category:City Stages artists]]
[[Category:1970s establishments]]

Latest revision as of 13:50, 12 June 2012

The Joe Giattina Orchestra is a Birmingham-based big band which specializes in dinner music, latin & cha-cha dances, waltzes, swing, Dixieland and big-band jazz. The group started in the early 1970s as a 17-piece Shrine band playing free engagements as a community service. Joe Giattina, by then a 50-year veteran of the Birmingham jazz scene, took over as band leader in 1978. From then until 1992 the group took the name of Giattina's earlier outfit, "Joe Giattina and his Bama Cardinals".

When Giattina handed the baton to Don Cornutt on December 31, 1992 the group was renamed The Joe Giattina Orchestra in his honor. He remained close to the band until his death in 1998. The current director is trombonist Bill Jeffries, who assumed leadership in June 1997. The band often accompanied cabaret singer Mary Ogletree (an Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee). Classically-trained singer Emily Herring is now the orchestra's featured vocalist.

Throughout its existence, the Joe Giattina Orchestra has stayed busy playing in Birmingham and surrounding cities for wedding receptions, dance clubs, debutante balls, birthday celebrations, anniversary parties, and at special events for many civic organizations. The orchestra is the featured house band each New Year's Eve in the grand ballroom at The Club on Red Mountain.

Discography

  • The Joe Giattina Orchestra. (2002) Still Swinging

External Link

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