Kaye Berigan Brings His

5Tet To The Stage

By Julie Flemming

The Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee will welcome Kaye Berigan and his 5Tet to the Stage on Saturday, May 19, 2012. At the 2011 Jazz Jubilee they were wildly received in the American Legion Clubhouse and have been invited back to play twice in the Fox Lake, WI, Community Center on May 19^th. The 5Tet will be performing from 1 to 2:45 PM and again 6:30 to 8:15 PM. Kaye, all 6’4” of him, is the nephew of Bunny Berigan and has said repeatedly that he never wanted to gain any notoriety from being Bunny’s nephew. Kaye was only 3 years old when his famous Uncle died, but never-the-less playing the trumpet exceptionally well does seem to “run in the family”.

Kaye tells that he wanted to play the trumpet for as long as he can remember. Originally from Fox Lake, WI, his persistence paid off when, after relocating to Milwaukee, his mother agreed to allow him to take lessons at age 11. Kaye has not been able to put the trumpet down since and has gone on to enjoy 50+ years of playing and educating others to play.

Kaye graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and then attended the Naval School of Music. Following graduation, he served his country with the 28 pc. Army Band in Italy. Kaye remembers being surprised when fellows in the Army Band began to ask him if he was related to Bunny Berigan. Up to that point Kaye had never paid much attention to his relationship to the great Bunny. After returning to the states, Kaye began a teaching stint in the Milwaukee Public Schools as band and ensemble teacher. He was also in demand for private trumpet lessons, accepting students at the Wisconsin Conservatory and in his private studio. Kaye is frequently called upon to do Jazz Clinics at high schools and universities AND he will be conducting just such a clinic at the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee on Saturday morning, May 19^th, from 11:00 AM. to 12:00 noon. The Improvisation Clinic is FREE to all musicians, young and mature, along with the invitation to play with the Kaye Berigan 5Tet on stage later in the day from 2 to 2:45 PM.

Kaye also plays Thursday nights with The All-Star SUPERband in Elm Grove, WI. He brings two other founders of the SUPERband to his 5Tet, Gary Christensen – bass, (leader of the SUPERband) and Mike Pauers – baritone sax.

Members of the Kaye Berigan 5Tet are:

Gary Christensen – founder and leader of the sixteen piece All-Star SUPERband which has been playing every Thursday night this century. He has played everything from musical theatre to Rock and traveled to more than 35 states. He was part of a duo with local legend pianist Claude Dorsey.

Mike Pauers – a founding member of the All-Star SUPERband, played with the Ron DeVillers-Jack Carr Big Band and currently works with his own band, Clamnation. He is a professor with a PHD at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Frank DeMiles – is a pianist and vocalist who works in everything from duos to big bands. In demand, he can usually be found with a group called Frank DeMiles and Company. Having eleven children, it is not unusual to see one or more of them popping up in his band.

Jack Carr – is a “first call” percussionist around the state and travels to other states to play clubs and concerts. Jack has been Co-leader of the Ron DeVillers-Jack Carr Big Band since the demise of leader Ziggy Millonzi, in whose group Jack had been part of a trio, quartet, quintet and more. Jack was the drummer for Chuck Hedges and plays now in groups like the Milwaukee Connection and David MacGregor’s Vagabond Reeds.

Tickets for the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee can be ordered by calling 920-928-6094 or 920-210-7865, emailing julieflemmig@yahoo.com, or finding the order blank/schedule at www.bunnyberiganjazzjubilee.com