Here are three songs by the Santa Monica High School Serenaders. These were recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl in the spring of 1964 and 1965. We participated and won both years - Fist Place in our division and Sweepstakes in 1964 and First Place in our division in 1965.
"Owl Hoot"
“Owl Hoot” features solos by Jim Odom on trumpet, Geoff Cooper on alto sax and Vic Spiegel on piano.
"Solid Blue"
“Solid Blue” also features Spiegel with some nice piano fills. Odom again on trumpet and Mike Faulkner on the alto sax solo. If you listen carefully you can hear the trombone section “get lost” and come in too late to back up Mike’s solo. He weathered it like a professional but it wasn’t a great moment for the band. The song ends with a terrific drum solo by Jeff McKnight. The band again falters a bit at the end of the drum solo. Touch of the nerves – after all we were 16-17 and playing in the freaking Hollywood Bowl!
"Son of Funck"
“Son of Funck” is true to it’s name. More tasty Spiegel piano fills at the start. Then like most of the tunes we played it began to build and layer trombones on saxes and then trumpets on both. I’m playing baritone sax on this song – which you can’t hear (at least on this recording) until near the end when there is a “dee-dum” bass part. (Of course that's only important if you want to hear me!)
