Between the 1950s and 1980s, the bigband "the modernaires" was very popular in Switzerland both as a concert bigband and as a dance band. In the late 50s the band accompanied Lale Andersen when she was on tour in Switzerland. I was a member of the modernairs between 1961 and 1967.
After a bust up among members in 1960, when half the members left the band, a couple of diehards never gave up and recruited new players, that's when I joined the band in 1961 playing trumpet.
(Click to enlarge pictures)
The promotional photo (above) was taken when the band played in the casino in
Switzerland's capital Berne.
In 1961, with limited formation, only 2 trumpets and
1 trombone the band was ready to start playing again.
During the earlier days.
By 1963, the band was complete again, here playing
in the casino in Berne.
The late Fritz Blauner, who arranged the numbers.
Playing Glenn Miller's In The Mood
The trumpet section. I'm 2nd from the bottom.
Glenn Miller would have been proud of you all.
ReplyDeleteNeat and smart, not a hair out of place, no gadgets hanging from noses or ears, not a tattoo to be seen
and no doubt a great rendition of "In the Mood". Aaah those were the days - sophisticated, smart and
courteous!
Just goes to show that somethings never improve as the years roll on!
Congratulations. HB
That must have sounded great!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant tribute to the Modernaires! Do you have any recordings that you could load onto the site also?
ReplyDeleteI love the suits and hair too!
Carol
That must have been exciting, playing in such a big band. Do you miss it?
ReplyDelete