By Frank Roberts, Correspondent
© May 29, 2007 | Last updated 10:40 PM May. 28
VIRGINIA BEACH - It was a "Sing, Sing, Sing" Sunday as the Gene Krupa Orchestra, conducted by Michael Berkowitz, closed its wonderfully swinging concert at The Cavalier with that lengthy, famous piece originally played by Krupa when he was with Benny Goodman.
The night's only major drum solo excitedly climaxed a terrifically satisfying night, made even more exciting by the presence of Lynn Roberts, who has been the female vocalist with many of the major bands - Harry James, Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Charlie Spivak and others.
She remembered performing with Spivak eons ago at The Cavalier.
Roberts is 71, looks 51 but sings like a youngster of 31.
She sang several songs associated with Miller, the Dorseys and her favorite, Harry James.
She also ventured into the songbook of Krupa's vocalist, Anita O'Day.
"I sang this one with Benny Goodman 45 years ago," Roberts said as an introduction to "The Lady Is A Tramp."
At one point, commenting on the swing-era songs, she asked: "Isn't it nice to be able to understand all the words?"
Berkowitz and company brought back memories of the big band era.
The pleasant night began with "Starburst," the Krupa theme, then alternated between fast and slow, the latter bringing the older folks in the happy crowd to the dance floor, where they cut a rug outdoors at the Cavalier Hotel Beach Club.
The night was a mix of music and memories as some of the married-for-many-years dancers hugged their spouses.
It was a different story when the Krupa band upped the tempo.
Then, the dance floor was occupied by 20-somethings representing Swing Virginia, a Hampton Roads group about 300 strong who dance like professional swingsters.
"I was raised with swing music," said group member Amy Green of Williamsburg.
"My mom, in the '50s, listened to bands like the Dorseys. I got my first CD when I was 12. It was Glenn Miller."
The Swing Virginia crew added a lot of fun to the night, but another dancer also garnered some attention - Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf.
Meanwhile, John Castleman handled the types of trumpet solos once associated with Roy Eldridge.
Krupa, an exciting and innovative drummer, was one of the biggest stars of the 1930s and '40s.
Thanks to Berkowitz and his fine orchestra, Cavalier visitors on Sunday had the opportunity to remember Genie with the light brown drumsticks during the two-hour show that went swinging by very swiftly.
Mike Berkowitz The Gene Krupa Orchestra
