The Cool Sounds of Summer

Thunder couldn't keep away Maplewood Community Music's Swingtown as they played poolside Wednesday evening. Swingtown, a 20-piece Big Band with four vocalists, was founded by life-long Maplewood resident, Jim Buchanan in 2001.  Swingtown is a concert, swing and ragtime band. They also have a trombone quartet.

At 6 p.m., the first thunder clap was heard and the upper deck and pools were all cleared. Families and friends gathered on the patio as Swingtown began to set up, still unsure if rain would cancel the show.  A second clap of thunder at 6:20 led to moans and groans from the crowd, but at 6:45, with the sun still shining, the show went on as scheduled. There was singing and some dancing as pool goers ate dinner and snacks and relaxed as the pending storm brought some relief from the heat.

At 7 p.m., the pools reopened and the band continued to play. Dwight West, David Easton, Ruthanna Graves and Jay Dougherty each sang twice delighting the crowd with pleasant songs including, "Georgia on My Mind" and "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing". 

There are four more dates left for "Music by the Pool," which is organized by the Maplewood Department of Recreation. Concerts are scheduled from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.—weather permitting!

• July 28 Steiner and Stewart: Folk + rock = folkrock
• August 4 Jim Buchanan Jazztet: Pure jazz
• August 11 TBA
• August 18 Rich Maloof: Mellow acoustic guitar