East Meadow library swings into Veteran’s Day

The many members of the Swingtime Big Band played their instruments to the beats and sounds of yesteryear on Sunday.

Maureen Lennon/Herald

Carole and Skip Lambe danced the day away.

Maureen Lennon/Herald

Jude Schanzer, director of public relations and programming, said she was thankful to the veterans in the audience.

Maureen Lennon/Herald

Steve Shaiman, an East Meadow resident, enthusiastically led the band.

Maureen Lennon/Herald

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Jude Schanzer, the director of public relations and programming, looked into the crowd of scores of patrons packed into the main lobby of the East Meadow Public Library on Sunday afternoon. Wearing an American flag scarf for the occasion, she thanked all of the veterans in the large audience for their service to the country before asking them to stand for a round of applause.

“We’re here for you today,” she said simply, before introducing a band that would transport the members of the military back to the World War II era with a mix of Swing Era jazz, Big Band tunes and other classic songs.

Swingtime Big Band, led by East Meadow’s own Steve Shaiman, performed their fourth consecutive Veteran’s Day concert at the library on Nov. 8. The program, which library leaders said is a favorite among patrons, is made possible through the support of the New York State Department of Education and Assemblyman Tom McKevitt.

Veterans were offered preferred seating in the lobby, which was filled with community members long before the performance began. Patrons found any available seats and stood in the aisles in hopes of seeing and listening to Swingtime Big Band.

Library officials said that not only does the band understand the great American Songbook, but they also know the music of the Swing Era and how much many veterans and community members love it. This year, the band’s musical selections focused on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The concert featured performances of hit songs from 1945 by bandleaders like Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnet and Les Brown. Shaiman noted that they were also paying tribute to Big Band and jazz musicians who would’ve turned 100 this year: Jerry Gray, Billy Strayhorn, Bobby Hackett and of course, Frank Sinatra.

Audience members cheered when Shaiman announced each musical selection, and many bobbed their heads along as the band played and Bobbie Ruth and Jerry Costanzo sang. Some patrons even danced in the aisles, moved by the music of years gone by.