Jay Mau Orchestra Ballroom Dance at the Timbers

For those heavy metal fans who think they don't like orchestra music, Jay Mau extends an invitation to listen to his 10-piece band, the Jay Mau Orchestra.

"If you attend one our performances, I think you will like what you hear and enjoy it," said Mau, 70, of Channahon. "Even the people in the audience, who can't dance for some reason, will have their feet tapping and their hands clapping."

The Jay Mau Orchestra will perform from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Road. The concert is free, but reservations are recommended. For more information, call Judy Malin at 815-609-0669.

Mau's kindergarten teacher unwittingly launched his musical career when she pronounced him director of the class's rhythm band. He embarked upon the serious study of music when he began playing the trombone in the school band at Taft School in Lockport.

"I picked it, but my arms weren't long enough to reach all the positions," Mau said. "The director -- Pops Leedom -- switched me to the trumpet."

From the trumpet, Mau moved on to the tuba, then to the string bass, which Mau now plays. At Lockport Township High School, Mau played in the school band and for school sock hops with The Jimmy Stevenson Swing Band.

Mau did not play during his two years with the U.S. Navy, but when he returned home he joined a polka band, The Al Piazza Trio. Four nights a week, Mau also performed with Donna Rae and The Gentlemen.

Then, for 14 years, beginning around 1980, Mau played with the Roy Gordon Orchestra. When Roy "Carlos" Gordon died, Mau purchased the orchestra, added some new music, and renamed the band The Jay Mau Orchestra.

"I wanted to keep this music going for as long as I could," Mau said.

Orchestra members hail from Indiana, the Chicago area and Joliet, and include Luci D'Mari, vocalist; Geno Sciacca, drums; Bob Ferrarris, string bass; Tom Seroviak, tenor sax; Don Martin, first chair alto; Tom Drake, alto and tenor sax; Jerry Luzinecki, baritone sax; Norval Nicholls, trumpet; Frank Katzback, trumpet; Larry Zelek, trumpet; Del Bergeson, trombone and vocals; and Bill Penn, piano.

In addition to the big band tunes of the 1930s and 1940s -- such as "Stardust," Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" and Frank Sinatra's "Laura" -- Mau's orchestra also performs songs by The Beatles, Bobby Darin and Wayne Newton.

"I just keep adding music that appeals to all audiences," Mau said. "I like to mix it up by playing so many waltzes, tangos, cha-chas, rumbas and fox trots. With 'Dancing with the Stars' so popular, we're seeing more young people dancing."

Joliet Herald News - August 16, 2009
By DENISE M. BARAN-UNLAND