BUFFALO —
The Alex Rene Big Band really is big, and not just in name these days. The swing band, helmed by director and namesake Alex Rene, released its first full-length CD, “Dream,” on Feb. 12.
Styled after swing bands of the 1930s and 40s, the group formed in 2004 after Rene, a retired musical instrument repairman, decided it was time to finally fulfill his dream in leading a band. After several years of gigs at the likes of St. Johnsburg Firehall in North Tonawanda and Niawanda Park, Rene decided it was time to put some of their work together in CD form.
Fittingly, he named the collection “Dream” in honor of his lifelong desire to form a big band.
“Dreams do come true ... it’s kind of a personal thing for me,” Rene said. “I’ve always wanted to have a big band even from when I was little.”
The CD includes 12 songs, all of which are rearrangements of existing tunes like “Goody Goody” and the wintertime classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
Those 12 tracks were trimmed down from the 300 or so that the band carries with them on a regular basis, with another 300 filed away for later use. Rene says the band’s influences span generations, from the classics like Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, to more contemporary musicians like Michael Buble.
“We take songs from today and rewrite them in the style of the big band,” Rene explains.
Still, Rene stresses that he maintains an true big band with 18 members and he’ll never ever cut that down to fewer musicians to fit a venue or event. Otherwise, as he says, it’s not the same band.
“I like to refer to it as an authentic big band, not a small band trying to sound like a big band,” Rene said.
Rene and Co. have been working on “Dream” for about a year now and spent three days in the studio this past fall at Starfield Productions in Buffalo.
The biggest hurdle? Rene says it was arranging the schedules of all 18 musicians to be in the same at the same time for three days in a row. Most of them have day jobs and in the end there were only two substitutions.
“I didn’t want a pick-up band going into the studio,” Rene said. “I wanted my own people and that’s the way it worked out.”
“Dream” is available to purchase for $15 at retro clothing boutique Cats Like Us, located at 67 Main St., in the City of Tonawanda.
The CD can also be picked up at future Alex Rene Big Band shows and dances. The next scheduled performance is a Father’s Day dance June 18 at St. Johnsburg Firehall at 7165 Ward Road in North Tonawanda.
Contact features editor Danielle Haynes at 693-1000, ext. 116.
Features
Related Photos
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Alex Rene, left, leads his band at one of their many performances Feb. 12 at St. Johnsburg Fire Hall in North Tonawanda. The Alex Rene Big Band specializes in swing music of the 1930s and ’40s. Don Schwartz
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Alex Rene says he’s wanted to lead a big band since he was a kid. Don Schwartz
Alex Rene Big Band releases first full-length CD
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