M&J Big Band shines in tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes in Pottsville

Aug. 11—When the M&J Big Band released its 2023 schedule earlier this year, it included new renditions of tributes that were familiar to regional fans, including a seasonal kickoff salute to Reinerton's orchestral giant Les Brown and his Band of Renown at the Tower City American Legion.

And the respect for Shenandoah's Dorsey Brothers, Tommy and Jimmy — colossuses of the big-band era of the mid-20th century — during the band's performance at the annual Shenandoah Heritage Day and Kielbasi Festival, was in no way unexpected.

So, no one should have been surprised when M&J bandleader John P. Shoener, who is also Shenandoah Valley School District's band director, took his some 17 musicians and vocalists to Pottsville's Majestic Theater on July 30 to pay tribute to the fellow whom many regard as the greatest crooner of all time — Ol' Blue Eyes himself, the late Frank Sinatra.

After all, Shoener, in that release earlier this year, didn't hold back in assuring the Schuylkill region's bevy of music enthusiasts, "We have some great concerts planned."

He wasn't fibbing — especially about the Sinatra performance.

Sinatra kicked off his career in the 1930s as a singer with (Ahem!) the Tommy Dorsey and Harry James bands. His popularity and notoriety became such that more than a few fans consider Sinatra to have been the greatest entertainer of all time, period.

Shoener recently reported the band's Sinatra performance at the Majestic played to "an enthusiastic crowd."

Judging by the crowd size and intensity of the performance — including with vocalists Kieffer Quandel, Jackie Bubnis, Jacob Shoener and Josh Kovich — M&J's nod to the singer who did it "My Way" was surely a "New York, New York" move at the Majestic.

In his latest release, Shoener said the band will present two free concerts in August. The first will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Lost Mined Brewing Co. in Shamokin and the second from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 19 at Claude Kehler Park in Shamokin.

In all of these performances, John P. Shoener is greatly aided by Jacob Shoener, associate bandleader, and Kovich, assistant bandleader.

Considering that the M&J Big Band is clearly living up to its mission "to keep the Big Band music alive into the next generation," the Shamokin area is in for big musical treats.

More information about the band and its performances on tap through December is available online at https://mjbigband.com.