From 1967 through 1977, Bowie (Md.) Senior High School sponsored an extracurricular jazz band called The Starliners. The Starliners was a relatively standard big band, with 5 reeds, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, piano, bass, guitar, and drums. Often the band was augmented with additional percussion, vibes, French horns, and vocalists. At times, there were as many as 23 of us on stage. The band leader during its entire existence was Lt. Col. Joseph G. Carley (USAF, retired). He was paid a salary of $1 per year by the county Board of Education.
During its life, The Starliners produced four albums, Space Chasin’, In Stereo, 12 by 3, and Bowie Straight Ahead. Sales of these albums, along with gigs 3-4 times per month, paid for the purchase of new charts, as well as for travel to jazz festivals and competitions.
Bob O'Hara provided Bowie Living with album covers and recordings from all four albums. The details from In Stereo (the Starliners second album) can be seen below. In Stereo was recorded in 1970.
Front Cover
Back Cover
Tracks
Click a song to hear the recording.
- The "Queen Bee"
- Ambrosiado
- I'll Be Around
- Goin' Out of My Head
- That Old Black Magic
- Drums
- Carefree (Des Preocupado)
- Lil' Darlin'
- And I Love Her
- Les and Larry
- Soul Bossa Nova
- Exit Swinging
Text from the Back Cover
BRINGING YOU UP-TO-DATE
THE STARLINERS are now 3 1/2 years old as an organization. During that period the band has established itself as a well respected group within the community. It has settled into a pattern of performances to include, as examples, the annual opening concert in the Bowie Summer Series on the same schedule with the Marine Band and other nationally recognized musical organizations and the Maryland State Junior Miss Pageant. Of course, many other appearances are booked for various worthy causes. Since the band fortunately enjoys the full support and interest of Mr. Armand Biscontini, Principal of Bowie Senior High School and of Mr. Bob Wiant, Director of Music, it performs a valuable, self-supporting community service in the name of the high school. This unofficial association is a critical factor in overall success.
The number one event of the 1969/70 season was an invitation and trip to participate in the Mobile Jazz Festival held in Mobile, Alabama, on March 19-21, 1970. Funds to underwrite the trip to Mobile were obtained primarilythrough a highly successful concert presented on March 14 at Bowie Senior High School. Several well-known guest artists appeared on the program with The Starliners: Larry Skinner (trumpet) of the Ft. George E. Meade Army Field Band; Paul Shortgen (tenor), Ronnie Diehl (alto), Bob Simmons (bass) and Dick Bonenfant (drums) of the Naval Academy Stage Band; and Dale Weaver (trombone) of the Marine Stage Band. The willing participation of such highly polished, competent musicians provided an unforgettable treat for the audience and injected a strong "thumbs up" endorsement of the product of 26 of the Bowie teenage community. Also, I would be remiss by not recognizing that the program could not have been successful except for the direct support and backing of Mayor Leo Green, the Prince George's County Recreation Department, the Bowie Recreation Council, the Parents of The Starliners, Armand Biscontini, the Bowie High School student body and, last but most important, the members of the audience who paid their way with "green" and enthusiastic applause.
ON THE RECORDING
You will note a considerable difference in the style of playing of the band as compared to Volume I. Although only four of the charter members (Jim Abell, Dale Carley, Brad Cohen and Bill Moore) are still members, the group has progressed considerably in its ability to phrase with a true big band sound. We highlighted this style change by selecting several tunes which are more jazz-oriented with particular emphasis on a COUNT BASIE sound.
This year we added a new dimension to the Satellites. At the beginning of the season we put out a call for four young ladies who wanted to work hard and who could sing in tune in a difficult harmony environment. I think you will agree they have shown remarkable progress in a short time. I have developed a healthy respect for their tenacity and determination and an appreciation for the variety they have contributed to Starliner performances.
You should thoroughly enjoy this edition of The Starliners "Year Book". We have provided a wide variety of music ranging from Jazz through Latin, Bossa Nova, "Society" and Rock. Your willingness to purchase the volume is a signal of strong support for the dedication of an exceptionally fine organization of young musicians and citizens who voluntarily sacrifice their personal freedom to "do something first class" for the community and, above all, to keep the big band sound around.
Joe Carley
SIDE ONE
THE "QUEEN BEE"
Mickey Basil (Piano)
AMBROSIADO
I'LL BE AROUND
Dale Carley (Trumpet)
Gary Nelson (Baritone)
GOIN' OUT OF MY HEAD
Satellites
Dale Carley (Trumpet)
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
DRUMS
Jeff Kornder (Drums)
SIDE TWO
CAREFREE (DES PREOCUPADO)
Mickey Basil (Piano)
Jim Abell (Tenor)
LIL' DARLIN'
Dale Carley (Trumpet)
AND I LOVE HER
Satellites
Dale Carley (Trumpet)
LES AND LARRY
SOUL BOSSA NOVA
Brad Cohen (Alto)
EXIT SWINGING
Dave Burns (Trumpet)
Jim Abell (Tenor)
Jeff Morgan (Trombone)
PERSONNEL
TRUMPETS
Dale Carley
Wayne Stallings
Dave Burns
Rick Mellott
Jay Kornder
TROMBONES
Jeff Morgan
Pete Fahres
Bill Kost
Bob Justice
SAXES
Brad Cohen
Jeff Hornstein
Jim Abell
Chris Martineau
Gary Nelson
PIANO
Mickey Basil
Greg Karukas
BASS
Bill Moore
DRUMS
Jeff Kornder
Bob Mason
GUITAR
Bill Whitman
BONGOS
Jon Weschler
VOCAL GROUP (Satellites)
Jane Freundel
Selena Prather
Rita Nelson
Barbie Palmer
Dale Carley
Rick Mellott
Jeff Morgan
Ed Gately
SECRETARY
Roberta Taylor
Starliners Posts on Bowie Living
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