Starliners record show at WETA-TV Studios - 1973/74

The Bowie High School Starliners recorded a 30 minute program called "Jazz?" on WETA-TV during the 1973/74 school year. The pictures below were taken by Arnie Miles during that recording session.

The Starliners was an extracurricular jazz band sponsored by Bowie High School from 1967 through 1977. Five year Starliners member Bob O'Hara describes the band on his Web site as follows:

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.

A more complete set of photos from this recording session can be found on a Bowie Living Facebook photo album.



Click on one of the pictures to view a zoomed-in slide show.

Band leader Lt. Col. Joseph G. Carley

Bowie Mayor Jim Conway and Band leader Lt. Col. Joseph G. Carley

These pictures were posted as part of the Bowie Blade Pic Project, I've been posting pictures taken by Arnie Miles for the Bowie Blade between 1973 and 1975.

Photos of Bowie Maryland 1973 through 1975 by Arnie Miles is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States
License

Other Bowie Blade Pic Project Posts

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• Complete Listing

Starliners Album: In Stereo (1970)

The Starliners was an extracurricular jazz band sponsored by Bowie High School from 1967 through 1977. Five year Starliners member Bob O'Hara describes the band on his Web site as follows:

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.

1. The "Queen Bee"
   
2. Ambrosiado
   
3. I'll Be Around
   
4. Goin' Out of My Head
5. That Old Black Magic
6. Drums
7. Carefree (Des Preocupado)
8. Lil' Darlin'
9. And I Love Her
10. Les and Larry
11. Soul Bossa Nova
12. 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

• The BHS Starliners at Free State Mall
• Starliners Album: Space Chasin' (1967)
• Starliners Album: In Stereo (1970)
  

Starliners Album: Space Chasin' (1967)

The Starliners was an extracurricular jazz band sponsored by Bowie High School from 1967 through 1977. Five year Starliners member Bob O'Hara describes the band on his Web site as follows:

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 Space Chasin' (the Starliners first album) can be seen below. Space Chasin' was recorded in 1967.


Front Cover



Back Cover



Tracks

Click a song to hear the recording.

1. Starliners Theme
2. The Knack
3. The Man I Love
4. I May Be Wrong
5. A Walk in the Black Forest
6. Trombone Soliloquy
7. Batman Theme
8. South Rampart Street Parade
9. Days of Wine and Roses
10. Call Me
11. I Remember You
12. Tijuana Taxi
13. I Left My Heart in San Francisco
14. Sam's Boogie

Text from the Back Cover

ABOUT THE BAND ... (Average age: 15 1/2)
Formed in August 1966 under my direction (while still a Lt. Col. in the Air Force) with enthusiastic support from Tom Warthen, principal, and Bob Wiant, school music director. Debut at a PTA meeting in early '67 brought this normally sedate audience to their feet for a thunderous ovation. Subsequent concerts in the D.C. area were equally successful. The big test came on 10 May '67 in the Bowie High gym when the group faced the 2700 strong student body. The Band absolutely fractured 'em! (Who said the Big Band Sound was dead?) The season was ''capped off" at the Annapolis Arts Festival on 18 June when the Band was billed with Count Basie and Buddy Rich.

ABOUT THE RECORD...
During the 10 May concert, I asked how many of the students would purchase a record (if made) and, further, make an advance down payment to finance the recording session with all profit (if any) destined for the stage band fund (under school control). The response was overwhelmingly in favor. Within a few days the band members had issued receipts for 729 records — more than enough!

The recording session was held on 21 May 1967 — the only date available before the end of the school year. The fourteen numbers were cut in 3 1/2 hours with minimum re-takes. Conduct, stamina and a sustained peak in quality of performance impressed the recording engineers. They (and I) consider this recording an outstanding product for such a young group.

I shall remember these young people for their consistent display of professionalism, for being a real credit to their school and community and, in the vernacular of the Jazz Man as "a blowin' bunch of cats"! I’ve had several kudos thrown my way for contributing my time and effort, but let's not kid one another — the pleasure was all mine!

JOE CARLEY

Pictures and Captions from the Back Cover

Bill Moore '69, Tim Heup '67, Stan Kominic '68, Dave Miller '70

Richy Gregg '68, Rob Probst '70, George Miller '68, Keith Markey '67, Dale Carley '71

What-Cha-Wanna Brass

(left to right) Mike Holman '67, Greg Lampe '69, Brad Cohen '71, Jim Abell '70, Rich Laurie '69

(left to right) Rich Jenkins '69, Rich Probst '67, John Roos '67, Jim Handy '67

The Satellites and Suzie Campany '67

Joe Carley '76

Starliners Posts on Bowie Living

• The BHS Starliners at Free State Mall
• Starliners Album: Space Chasin' (1967)
• Starliners Album: In Stereo (1970)

The BHS Starliners at Free State Mall

As part of the Bowie Blade Pic Project, I've been posting pictures taken by Arnie Miles for the Bowie Blade between 1973 and 1975. Here are a set of pictures taken at the Free State Mall during a performance by the Bowie High School Starliners.

Former five-year band member Bob O'Hara described the Starliners on his blog as follows.

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 recorded and made available all four albums on his Web site in MP3 format. Click here to see a list of the Starliners' albums with links to the songs. Click here to listen to "Solo Flight" from the Starliners' "Bowie Straight Ahead" album. The performance is fantastic. It's amazing that the band members were all teenagers!

According to Bob O'Hara, the "Bowie Straight Ahead" album was recorded in 1974. It's likely that some of the band members in the pictures below were featured on that album as these pictures were taken sometime between 1973 and 1975.

Lt. Col. Joseph G. Carley passed away in 2005. Click here to read his obituary as published in the Washington Post.

The photos of the Starliners' performance also offer a glimpse of the Free State Mall during the early to mid 70s.

Click each picture to see a larger image.

Lt. Col. Joseph G. Carley directs the Starliners outside the Fashion House in the Free State Mall.

Sax Section (left to right): Ron Pronk (tenor 1), Mike Kakuk (alto2), Jon Kakuk (standing; alto 1), John Patrizio, Danny Burke (baritone)

Trombones (left to right): Bill Gale (face obscured), Tom Warfel (not wearing tux), Chuck Gay, Richard Kassabian, Mark Weaver and Frank Bernstein

Trumpets (left to right): Scott Rich (1st), Chris Kyle (3rd), Rosie Kaplan (4th); not included in this picture is Tim Bartolemeo (2nd)

Sax Section (left to right): Ron Pronk (tenor 1), Mike Kakuk (alto2), Jon Kakuk (alto 1), John Patrizio, Danny Burke (baritone)

left to right: Jim Roberts on guitar, David Black (behind Jim sitting next to the drums), Steve Pronk on bass (behind the cymbals), Robert Miller on drums (face obscured), Laura Colcord on piano and Tim Bartolemeo on trumpet (2nd)

Sax Section (left to right): Ron Pronk (tenor 1), Mike Kakuk (alto2), Jon Kakuk (alto 1), John Patrizio, Danny Burke (baritone)

Trombones (left to right): Bill Gale, Tom Warfel (not visible), Chuck Gay, Richard Kassabian, Mark Weaver and Frank Bernstein

Steve Pronk on bass (top left)

Trumpets (left to right): Tim Bartolemeo (2nd), Scott Rich (1st), Chris Kyle (3rd); not included in this picture is Rosie Kaplan (4th)

left to right: Tim Bartolemeo on trumpet (2nd), Robert Miller on drums, Bill Gale on trombone, Tom Warfel on trombone (not wearing tux) and Chuck Gay on trombone

Mayor Bill Wildman (left), Unknown (right)

A choir performed as well.

left to right: Bowie City Council member Herb Sachs, unknown, Council member Dene Bain, Mayor Bill Wildman, Council member Audrey Scott.

Mayor Bill Wildman (center)

Photos of Bowie Maryland 1973 through 1975 by Arnie Miles is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States
License

Starliners posts on Bowie Living

• The BHS Starliners at Freestate Mall
• Starliners Album: Space Chasin' (1967)
• Starliners Album: In Stereo (1970)

Other Bowie Blade Pic Project Posts

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