Symphony Swings Orchestra Cuts Loose With Guest Conductor Norman Leyden For Superpops Big Band Bash

The heyday of the big-band era was 50 years ago - but the music shows no signs of dying.

Fans of big-band music will get their fill at Saturday’s Big Band Bash, part of the Spokane Symphony SuperPops series.

Guest conductor Norman Leyden is the longtime associate conductor of the Oregon Symphony in Portland and the conductor of the Seattle Symphony’s Pop series for the last 26 years. But more to the point for this concert, he is a direct conduit to the golden age of big-band music.

Leyden graduated from Yale University in 1938 and then went on to spend five years in the military during World War II. During that time, he conducted the Army Air Force’s “Winged Victory” show. He also became an arranger for Maj. Glenn Miller’s famous AAF Orchestra in England and France.

After Miller’s death, Leyden became the chief arranger for the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1946 to 1949. Through the ‘50s, Leyden worked with many top musicians and band leaders. He was Arthur Godfrey’s musical director from 1956 to 1959.

In this show, Leyden will lead the Spokane Symphony in such standards as “I Got Rhythm,” “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby,” “Jeepers Creepers, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “Take the A Train” and “Begin the Beguine.”

Joining Leyden and the symphony will be the vocalist Shira, who has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Israel and Southeast Asia.

She also has performed extensively in Oregon, and she made her debut with Leyden in 1992.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: The Spokane Symphony and guest conductor Norman Leyden will perform a Big Band Bash at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Spokane Opera House. Tickets range from $14 to $28.50, available at the symphony ticket office (624-1200), G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.