Group to take stage at Senior Citizen's Club on Sunday
By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review
The late Apple Valley resident Thaddeus Kowalksi left quite a legacy behind when he died in 2011 at the age of 100. In 2003, the visionary piano player founded the Hi-Desert Dance Band, which has become one of the area’s most popular musical groups, especially in the senior citizen community.
According to Brad Hogarty, who sings and plays guitar in the group, the ensemble performs a wide variety of music from the 1930s through the 1970s. Hogarty said its repertoire includes country, big band and everything in between.
“I think what separates the Hi-Desert Dance Band from a lot of other local groups is that we play many different styles of music, even polkas,” said Hogarty, who also performs with the popular High Desert folk trio, Harmoni By Three. “But our sets are designed for dancing purposes, so you have to know a lot of songs.
“We can play just about anything. You name it.”
Hogarty said the Hi-Desert Dance Band plays mostly around town and is content with providing entertainment for locals. It recently performed on the Community Stage at the San Bernardino County Fair and also plays periodically at 55+ mobile home parks and other community events.
From 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, the ensemble performs voluntarily at the Adelanto Senior Center for the Barstow-based Meals on Wheels program. Every Thursday, residents can catch the group from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Percy Bakker Center on E Avenue in Hesperia.
Like the Adelanto Senior Center, the Meals on Wheels program also presents the Hi-Desert Dance Band’s shows at the Percy Bakker Center.
Hogarty said it’s been exciting to watch the growing attendance at both of these venues.
“Our shows are kind of becoming the happenin’ thing for seniors,” said Hogarty. “We’ve noticed that in the last several months, more and more people are coming out to enjoy the music. Word is apparently getting around, which is great because we need more entertainment for the senior crowd in the High Desert.”
Along with Hogarty, other members of the Hi-Desert Dance Band include Ernie Seidel (trombone), Bob De La Luz (drums, percussion), Barbara Minard (glockenspiel bells, percussion), Jane McGregor (piano), Janet Mauguin (piano), Rudy Cendejas (vocals), Jim Chala (harmonica), John Brown (flute), Seymour Cook (bass), Howard Wright (bass), Ron Clayton (tenor sax, vocals) and Amee Lecoq (vocals, percussion).
“There’s usually a minimum of seven or eight of us at any given show,” said Hogarty. “It’s great because with so many people, our sound is really full.”
Folks who attend one of Hi-Desert Dance Band’s shows are likely to hear hits by Fats Waller, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Platters, Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, Hogarty said.
Songs in its sets include Waller’s “Ain't Misbehavin,” Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” and Humperdinck’s “After the Lovin.”
From 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, the Hi-Desert Dance Band will appear at the Apple Valley Senior Citizen's Club, 13188 Central Road.
For more information, contact the band’s manager, Jane McGregor, at 760-985-1258.