The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra performs Patriotic Big Band Salute this 4th of July
The Savannah Riverfront has traditionally been the place to be for watching fireworks on Independence Day, and this year the hottest spot should be the Park at Eastern Wharf where the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra will perform a patriotic concert during the fireworks display.
The Equinox Orchestra has played Fourth of July concerts regularly since they moved to Savannah 16 years ago, but this will be the first time their concert will be free and open to the public.
“The Park at Eastern Wharf was really set up to do as many free community events as we can, so it’s definitely in our DNA and right up our alley,” said Kayne Lanahan, executive director of program management for the park. “We’ve worked with Savannah’s waterfront in getting all the information from them about where the fireworks are going to fire off from and what time they begin, so we’re excited to have people out on a 2-acre, beautiful green space park and be able to see the fireworks up so close.”
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra is a highly in-demand big band that has toured all over the world including India, Poland, Israel, and Nova Scotia, and through their non-profit organization, Equinox Global Missions, they have been able to bring their high-energy Louisiana big band soul to communities all over.
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Music as the connector
“It’s our heart and soul,” said Jeremy Davis, band leader, tenor sax, vocalist and “Kingpin” for The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra. “It’s really 'the why' behind all the things we do, and it exists to entertain, connect and serve. Just using music to be a blessing to folks.”
The event is sponsored by the band’s friends at Tate Law Group, which is how such an exciting event can be free. The concert is also designed to honor and bring awareness to the 200 Club, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to the families of first responders who are killed or injured in the line of duty.
“We really support the work that they do,” said Davis. “What we’re going to do is tell the story of the 200 Club because a lot of people don’t know what they do and it’s important work.”
A portion of the proceeds from food and beverage sales will be donated by the Thompson Hotel to the 200 Club.
“The Thompson Hotel is wonderful,” said Davis. “They really believe in what we do, and they’ve been some of the best sponsors we’ve had in Savannah.”
Music and fireworks
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra will begin playing their 90-minute concert at 7:30 p.m. and continue throughout the fireworks display as they burst in the sky behind the band.
“It’s a different thing for us because we are changing a lot of the songs in the show,” explained Davis. “We do include a lot of patriotic material. We do ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,’ ‘The Armed Forces Salute,’ which honors all the veterans, and we basically play all the armed services songs. That’s a fun song and people get jacked up about that.”
The band will also play a number of great American music like Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful,” and Neil Diamond’s “Coming to America.”
“We just did that song for the first time in Brooklyn, New York, which is where Neil Diamond is from and we didn’t know that,” said Davis. “We made quick friends with that New York audience. Then we have our swinging standards. We use the big band as the luxurious musical vehicle of choice — it’s not really a style. Musically we play everything from Elvis to Ray Charles to Johnny Cash to '80s pop tunes to all of the Sinatra standards. We might even do Tom Petty’s ‘American Girl.’ We’re going to mix it up and try to have something for everybody.”
Another fun aspect of a Fabulous Equinox Orchestra concert is the appearance of their Fabulous tour bus, which previously took Elton John’s show on the road.
“It’s like a big mobile green room and sleeps all twelve of us,” said Davis. “We like to have it on site. The story of the tour bus is such a blessing to us. It’s actually owned by our non-profit and is available for people to see and experience what a real rock star tour bus looks and feels like.
There will be plenty of food and beverage options for the family. Food trucks from Chozito’s, Bow Tie BBQ, Naked Dog, and Mahalo’s Shaved Ice will be on site along with a number of Thompson Hotel restaurants and a mobile bar.
Service Brewing Company has also collaborated with the Thompson Hotel on a new proprietary beer called Eastern River Lager, which will make it’s debut at the Fourth of July concert.
Parking downtown can often be intimidating for visitors, but fortunately the easy-to-access Eastern Wharf garage has 700 spaces and is open to the public with special event parking rates.
Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and small coolers to the event, so that they can get comfortable for the spectacular music and fireworks show.
Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra wanted to thank all of their sponsors including Georgia Music Foundation, Service Brewing, Choate Construction, Connect Savannah, Thompson Hotel, Easter Wharf Park.
“All those people came together to pull this amazing thing off and make it free,” said Davis. “It has the makings to be one of the best ones we’ve ever done.”
If You Go >>
What: The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra’s patriotic Big Band Salute
When: 7 p.m., July 4
Where: The Park at Eastern Wharf, 101 Port St.
Cost: Free
Info: theparkateasternwharf.com
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Fabulous Equinox Orchestra performs patriotic big band for fourth of july
