Nov. 4, 2008 — Toe tapping, hip-swinging music by the Susanville Swing Band enticed concertgoers to give it a whirl on the dance floor the weekend of Oct. 24 and 25. For the past several years, the Susanville Symphony Society has begun its concert season with a swing concert led by Matt Mullin. Rather than sitting in seats and listening to the society’s orchestra, concertgoers can mingle, imbibe and dance for several hours in the Veterans Memorial Hall.

This year the Swing Band added new songs to its repertoire of music from the 1940s and 50s big band sounds. Some of the music dated from before the big band sound became the rage.

Even those under 40 seemed to recognize “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen,” made famous by the Andrews Sisters and sung by The Peppercorns at the concert. The Peppercorns include Julianne Pepetone, Linda Braun and Julie Besancon.

Rather than sticking to a music-only format, the swing band played backup to a total of seven songs. Pepetone, Braun and Besancon also sang solos. Pepetone crooned to “Manhattan Serenade.” Besancon sang the classic “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and Linda Braun swayed and sashayed to “Yes, My Darling Daughter,” made popular by Dinah Shore.

Patti Alexander, who is not a regular at most musical performances, sang “I’ve Heard that Song Before” and Debra Sokol did a beautiful and accurate rendition of “At Last,” sounding eerily like Etta James.

Fans of the Susanville Symphony and Swing Band were introduced to Ludmila Polyakova, who sang much of “My Funny Valentine,” in Russian. Polyakova recently married Mullin. She received a long and deserved round of applause.

The swing band featured many symphony regulars and some new faces. The strings joined the band this year too and even with the added violins, violas and cellos, the music was clear, crisp and danceable.

Participating in the swing band were Eric Toews, Heather Blevins, Susanna Blackwood, C.J. Hewitt, Nick Blevins, Bob Souter, Ray While, Riley Schofield, Bill Dandois, Gabe Szovati, Lynn Sheehy, Tim Pass, Gene Lay, Pat Moore, Jon Jocelyn, Doug Sheehy, Dick Bendix, Carol Fontana, Dana Hirsche, Sue Bateson, Suzanne Kanavel, Anne Latka, Mike Bingham, Robbin Peterson, Dr. Buck Bateson and Sue Toews.

Others who helped put on the show include Mark Sanders, Thomas Braun, Dave Besancon, Jason Wheeler, Geoff Pregill and the Best of Broadway Technicians.