PUEBLO- On Thursday evening, Jan. 17, 2008, The Dwight Shaw Big Band will pay tribute to its leader, Dwight Shaw, with a dance in his honor. This event, celebrating Dwight Shaw′s life in the entertainment business, is for his friends who came to know and love him and anyone else who enjoys listening and dancing to the music of the big band era.
The event will be held at the Sangre De Cristo Arts and Conference Center in Pueblo, Colorado, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave., from 8 pm to 11 pm. The doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 per person and a limited number are available.
The tribute is sponsored by News First 5/30 and The Pueblo Chieftain. Proceeds from this performance will, at Dwight’s request, be the beginning of a fund to promote future ballroom dances in Southern Colorado featuring The Dwight Shaw Big Band.
Individuals and businesses can help pay for the dance and promote The Dwight Shaw Big Band Fund by purchasing a musician from the band for $125.00. In return, each contributor will be recognized and presented with two tickets to the dance.
A musician of renown, Dwight was a part of the dancing scene in Southern Colorado for nearly 60 years. His knowledge of the big band era was impressive and his love of music and performance was expressed through his trombone, the sounds of which were a distinct and recognizable extension of his personality. Being around Dwight it was easy to see the things that were most important to him. For example, he cherished the close association and working relationship he had with his fellow musicians and other band leaders he worked for. Integrity was an indelible part of his persona and musicians are deeply honored to be accepted to play in his bands.
Dwight possessed a rather dry but infectious sense of humor yet was a stickler for detail. Rue the poor soul who missed a gig for he or she simply would cease to exist. The Dwight Shaw Big Band endures because of the deep respect he commanded from the elite of southern Colorado’s musicians.
In 2001 Dwight Shaw was recognized as one of Pueblo’s Outstanding Musicians by Pueblo City Cab Company. As a charter member of The Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society, Dwight was given its most prestigious award in February, 2007 – the eleventh annual "Alice Award."
Members of The Dwight Shaw Big Band are:
Saxes – Ryan Janus, Fred Martinez, Chris Wojtecki, Wayne Hoey, Steve Harget
Trombones – Rick Crafts, Bill Finch, Dan Epperson, Gene Montgomery
Trumpets – Chris Walters, Tim Allums, Mark Raphael, Bob Rheam
Rhythm – John Dobson, Chris Hartung, Ron MacFarlane, Richard Clark
Vocals – Mary Hoshijo
Dwight Shaw passed away at three o’clock in the morning, Friday, December 28th, 2007. His valiant effort and will to live is over. The struggle lasted nine years. Dwight was 76.
The show will go on.
