Blue Sky 5

Blue Sky 5 is a traditional swing band based in the D.C. metro area that performs both original music inspired by the Big Band era and swinging jazz standards. The band’s repertoire consists of songs made popular by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw and Nat King Cole, along with a host of other swing era artists. The band regularly packs ballrooms with swing dancers and enjoys performing for listening audiences.

Blue Sky 5 is a traditional swing band based in the D.C. metro area that performs both original music inspired by the Big Band era and swinging jazz standards. The band’s repertoire consists of songs made popular by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw and Nat King Cole, along with a host of other swing era artists. The band regularly packs ballrooms with swing dancers and enjoys performing for listening audiences.

Blue Sky 5’s bandleader, vocalist, guitarist and pianist Craig Gildner formed the band in 1999. He composed Sorry, No Answers Today, Saying You’ll Be Mine, Tin Goose Jump, and Blue Sky 5’s other original tunes.

James Fowler, Bass
James Fowler is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as Principal Bassist of the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland. He performs regularly with the Concert Band, Next Wave Jazz Ensemble, Superintendent’s Combo, and Ceremonial Bands. He also performs extensively in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore area with various jazz artists, big bands, and chamber groups. James holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Business from Oklahoma City University and a Master Degree in Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has performed with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Tulsa Philharmonic, and Roanoke Symphony onstage with such notables as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Arturo Sandoval, Mannheim Steamroller, John Tesh and Bobby McFerrin. His recording credits include a Warner Brothers’ recording with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic benefiting the victims of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building; After All These Years, Brent Blount; Songs I Love, Rob Levit Trio; The Long Goodbye, Larry Brown Quartet; Encarnacion, Afro Bop Alliance; and It Could Happen to You, Gretchen Richie. James has toured with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra and spent 3½ years with the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. performing on the Legendary Delta Queen. He has performed at the Redbud Jazz Festival in Tonkawa, Oklahoma with Jon Faddis, John von Ohlen of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, and Russ McKinnon of Tower of Power; and the W.C. Handy Jazz Festival with Mike Shepherd, Mundell Lowe, and Hilary Jones.

Craig Gildner, Band Leader, Piano, Guitar, Vocals
Craig Gildner — Blue Sky 5’s dynamic leader, vocalist, guitarist and pianist — can never get enough of the music called swing. The 4/4 pulse of an upright bass, accompanied by the open hi-hat cymbal rhythms, syncopated saxophones and trumpets are what make him smile. At the age of three, Craig’s radio station manager uncle gave him dozens of 78rpm records featuring big band and vocal stars like Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Harry James, and Sarah Vaughan. He played them over and over till the grooves turned gray. His parents made sure Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Lionel Hampton were playing in the house. In 1986 Craig got an opportunity to DJ at a local jazz station in his hometown of Elkhart, Indiana. The jazz bug bit him for good. Craig moved to the D.C. metro area in 1991 to eke out a future in audio recording. Two years later, a performance by the Tom Cunningham Orchestra at a Middleburg, Virginia wine festival presented him with an unexpected opportunity. On a band break, Craig’s dad approached Tom to compliment the band, and upon noticing there was no piano player, suggested using Craig. Within a week, Cunningham had a new pianist and vocalist who doubled on guitar. Seeking an outlet for his original compositions, Craig formed Blue Sky 5 in 1999 with musician friends who frequent the swing scene’s dance floor. The quintet became an instant hit on the D.C. and Baltimore swing dance scenes. In addition to Blue Sky 5 and the Tom Cunningham Orchestra, Craig has had the pleasure of performing with regional and national swing artists, such as Bill Elliott, Paul Cosentino, Casey MacGill, Big Joe Maher, Jonathan Stout, and the New Orleans Jazz Vipers.

Tommy Greco, Saxophone
Born in Washington D.C., Tommy has performed with a variety of different bands and has toured across the United States and in Amsterdam. He has taught hundreds of students to play the saxophone, flute and clarinet along the way. As a member of the Tom Cunningham Orchestra for 10 years, Tommy learned to appreciate the swing tradition from the bandstand. Learning swing dance from the D.C.- area instructors Craig Hutchinson, Tom Koerner and Debra Sternberg, he also developed an appreciation of swing from the dancer’s perspective. He intends to share his joy of swing with as many people as possible. Outside of the band, Tommy has many interests. He is a two-time national autocross race champion. In addition to enjoying anything having to do with cars and road trips, he is the creator, producer, director, and editor of “Swing Central,” an award-winning television show that celebrates and documents the swing music and dance revival. Tommy’s favorite musicians and groups are: Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Joe Henderson, Antonio Carlos Jobim, & Stan Getz.

Brett Lemley, Trumpet
What makes a person choose a life in music, even more so a life in jazz? The arguments against such a decision are so well known they’re cliché. The only explanation Brett has is that he’s not happy any other way. “I got my first trumpet at 9. I played in the school band, and also in the local youth band. As I look back I realize that since that time, I’ve been involved in more musical activities than I had classes in school. Marching bands, jazz bands, brass groups, orchestras, if the group needed a trumpet, I was there. I couldn’t care less about math, but I could play any tune I knew in any key. If I forgot the melody, I made something up. I played solos, won awards, and knew all along that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I went to college. I played in the orchestra, wind ensemble, brass quintet, and jazz ensemble. When I graduated, I decided to make a living as a classical trumpet player, figuring that’s where the money was. My jazz idols at the time weren’t exactly role models: Chet Baker (a heroin addict who looked 70 before he was 50 and died when he nodded off while sitting in a second floor window), Freddie Hubbard (an alcoholic who couldn’t play unless he was drunk and ruined his chops in 1991), Charlie Parker (heroin, dead at 33). I figured the “legit” road was the way to go. A few years go by. I’m a reasonably well-known trumpet player on the classical scene. I’m making decent money (when you throw in the restaurant jobs). I’m also miserable. I love all kinds of music, and some of my favorite musical moments have occurred while I was playing piccolo trumpet or in an orchestra. But I just knew something wasn’t right, and it was a year or two before I figured it out. One day I came home from a ˜gig from hell.” I practically ripped my tux off when I got home, and I needed to unwind. I put some Chet on the CD player, and collapsed on the couch. A few minutes later, as I listened to him blowing one of his perfect solos on “But Not for Me,” I thought, “I used to do that. I used to be a pretty good jazz player.” By the time the tune was over, I knew what was wrong, what was missing, and what I had to change. That was in 1999. Since then I’ve transcribed about 100 of my favorite solos, taken lessons from guys like Donald Byrd and Chris Vadala, and I’ve earned my Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies. Along with Blue Sky 5 I’ve also played with Joe Lovano, Allen Vizzutti, and Tom Cunningham. And I’m happy.”

Brooks Tegler, Drums
Brooks Tegler, a drummer/Band leader/Producer, living in the D.C. area, leads jazz groups of various sizes, anything from trios up to 17-piece big bands. (This includes authentic WWII Army Air Force Band.) He works all over the world. Brooks can also be seen on nearly every sculpture panel of the WWII Memorial in Washington DC (he was the primary model and organizer of all other models for scenes depicted), and can be heard in numerous voice-over projects. Brooks plays on over a hundred albums, including eight under his own name (5 of which he produced) and many from Europe and Japan. “It’s Been So Long” (recent) won the 2004 Wammie Award for best Jazz/Swing category. Brand new CD "That's It !" is Brooks' first release of entirely Big Band material with guest appearances by MANY great players/friends.

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12/17/08: Blue Sky 5

This group delivers vintage jazz and classic swing music that is made for dancing.

Blue Sky 5

This group delivers vintage jazz and classic swing music that is made for dancing.

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2/4/05: Blue Sky 5

Blue Sky 5, led by pianist/guitarist Craig Gildner, swings with original compositions as well as songs made popular by Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, and Nat King Cole.

Blue Sky 5

Blue Sky 5, led by pianist/guitarist Craig Gildner, swings with original compositions as well as songs made popular by Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, and Nat King Cole.

Comment, rate, and more...

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