Bobby Caldwell &
Meldonian Big Band
Sat., Jan. 10, 2009 / 8 pm

Bobby Caldwell's live performances
are always electrifying!

From blue-eyed soul to pop, R&B and standards singer/songwriter, Bobby Caldwell is truly one of the most respected members of the music industry.

Tracing a twenty-five year history from acclaimed soul stylist to in-demand pop and R&B songwriter, Bobby Caldwell is truly one of the most revered vocalists and songwriters in contemporary music today. As a singer, he has a successful career with numerous solo releases, which have earned accolades far and wide.

Bobby Caldwell's live performances are always electrifying! Drawing from his vast repertoire of rousing R&B, intimate smooth jazz stylings, and big band songs, Bobby has the ability to entertain at any venue, for fans of all ages. In Japan and throughout Asia, he enjoys a feverish popularity, selling out shows and achieving gold and platinum status for his releases in those countries.

In addition to heavy touring, Bobby:

• Bobby starred as Frank Sinatra in the David Cassidy/Don Reo theatrical production "The Rat Pack Is Back" in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bobby received rave reviews for his performance, both from industry critics and from his loyal fans.
   
• Bobby has been featured on The CBS Second Cup Café, The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno, BET Jazz Central, and has made numerous national and local network appearances.
   
• As a singer, he has a successful career with numerous solo releases, which have earned accolades far and wide. His songwriting skills have earned hits not only for himself, but also for well-known artists like Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, Neil Diamond and Al Jarreau.
   
• Bobby's timeless classic, "What You Won't Do For Love" has been recorded and sampled by more than 100 artists, including rendition by Boys II Men.
   
• A sample of Bobby's song "Open Your Eyes" appeared in the Grammy nominated platinum rap hit "The Light" by Common.

All combined, Bobby's songs and samples have contributed to over 40 million sales, while artists as diverse as Tupac Shakur, Michael Bolton, Roberta Flack, Go West, Vanessa Williams and Notorious B.I.G. have all paid tribute to the blue-eyed singer in the slouch hat. Bobby's classic song was sung by Elliot Yamin during the final 3 round of American Idol 2006.

Major motion picture and television credits have brought Bobby's music to even broader audiences.

• His original composition, "The Girl I Dream About" was included in Hillary Duff's film, "The Perfect Man", and in Charlie Matthau's film, "Her Minor Thing" and in "Simone", starring Al Pacino.
   
• Previously, his rendition of "Beyond The Sea" was selected by actor/director Joe Mantegna as the opening theme for his directorial debut "Lakeboat." The song fit so well with the movie that Mantegna commissioned Bobby to compose an original piece, "(Oh Boy!) You've Got It Made," as the closing theme. "Beyond The Sea," along with "All The Way" and "The Girl I Dream About" are also featured in the motion picture "My First Mister" starring Albert Brooks and directed by Christine Lahti.
   
• "I've Got The World On A String" was used in "Hearts In Atlantis" starring Anthony Hopkins.
   
• "Luck Be A Lady" is the featured track in the movie "The Cooler," starring William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, and Paul Sorvino.

Bobby's songs and albums have been released in the USA, Japan and throughout the globe, and have been enjoyed by millions of fans.

Born in Manhattan and raised in Miami, Bobby came from a show business family. His mother and father both sang and were the hosts of one of the first musical variety programs on television, "Suppertime." Bobby grew up listening to show tunes, the music of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, as well as The Beatles. These early influences are prevalent in Bobby's singing and songwriting. Bobby chose a career in music at the tender age of 17. He has devoted his entire life to song writing, recording, performing and most of all making people happy. Bobby has toured the USA and the globe for 40 years, bringing his music to fans of all ages and backgrounds, and he continues to do so.

Dick Meldonian Big Band
17 piece orchestra
Backing Bobby Caldwell with
original "Nelson Riddle Arrangements"!

Dick Meldonian is a superb swing-based soloist whose impressive style, energy and creativity is universally respected by audiences and fellow musicians alike. Dick’s worked with Neil Hefti, Johnny Richards, Nat Pierce, Gerry Mulligan, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Barnet, Merv Griffin, Liza Minelli, Tony Bennett, Gil Evans and Terry Gibbs. He’s appeared at Newport Jazz Festivals and Carnegie Hall and performs at jazz clubs, college workshops and directs his Tuesday Night Big Band at Emerson, NJ attracting large crowds at their open rehearsals.

He started playing clarinet when he was eight and tenor at 11. Meldonian led his first group in 1944 and officially became a professional in 1949. Early associations included tours with Freddie Slack, Charlie Barnet (1950-51) and Stan Kenton (1952). He also worked with Shorty Rogers, Nat Pierce, Elliot Lawrence and Bill Russo, among others. Meldonian became a New York studio and session musician and has appeared in many settings including with Erroll Garner (1957) and Gerry Mulligan (1960). He is best known for his work as the leader of the quartet (the Jersey Swingers) in the late 1970s and for the big band that he co-led with drummer Sonny Igoe starting in the early 1980s. Meldonian recorded as a leader (both with combos and with big bands) for Progressive and Statiras. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Dick Meldonian's music career got of to a roaring start. At age 15, the saxophonist and clarinetist was not only working up to seven nights a week in his native Providence, R.I., he was jamming with jazz giants on the weekends.

In 1946, Meldonian moved with his family to Los Angeles, and First toured with Freddie Slack at age 19. Later came stints with some of the best jazz large ensembles, including Charlie Barnet, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Gerry Mulligan -- the last two after he returned to the East in 1953. "I got lucky, loved playing with those guys," he said.

In 1970, Meldonian, a Haworth resident since 1964, joined a big band assembled by drummer Sonny Igoe, an Emerson resident formerly with Herman and Benny Goodman. In 1975, Meldonian became the co-leader; the group made "The Jersey Swing Concerts, 1980-1982" (Circle), among other CDs. When Igoe retired about three years ago, he took over the helm.

Describing the band's style, Meldonian said, "We're a la Count Basie, Woody Herman in the 1950s, 1960s, a big swing jazz band, not so much bebop. I like ensemble playing. We start out nice and easy and build."

Jazz In January
The Centenary Performing Arts Guild will feature, “Jazz In January 2009”, a three concert series beginning Saturday, Jan. 10th at 8pm in the Dome in the main administrative building on the campus of Centenary College - 400 Jefferson Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (Directions).

2009 Tickets

Tickets Now On Sale

Tickets can be purchased by calling 908-637-6455 or Centenary Box Office at 908-979-0900 Or through our Secure Online Ticketing System (Series not available online except as comment request) - MasterCard, Visa, Cash or Checks Accepted.

Tickets may also be purchased with CASH or CHECK at these convenient locations:
Panther Valley Inn
Valley National Bank
Hackettstown Carpet
Long Valley Music Center
Hackettstown Trading Post
Skylands Bank ( Mountain Ave Only)

Return to Jazz In January Page

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