The few gathered in the intimate theatre at Rio Rancho High Performing Arts Center came to see if Calloway Brooks could be as entertaining as his grandfather, Cab Calloway, and were a happy crowd.

They cheered, swayed to the music, snapped their fingers, participated by singing themselves. The orchestra sassed back to their boss, saying they were tired and needed a 15-minute intermission.

Entertainment was the order of the night, and the crowd was pleased. Brand-new Rio Rancho resident Jackie Bell said this was the first time she had listened to jazz. Her husband, Spike, is a little more worldly and this was not a new experience.

They both were thrilled with the show.

“He is a first-class entertainer,” Jackie Hutchinson said after the first set.

Husband Gene Hutchinson (or “Bones” Hutchinson, I should say) is a jazz drummer himself.

He is still playing locally and talked about the members of the orchestra, knowing a few of them well.

In the end, Brooks received two standing ovations. After he left the stage, everyone stood to honor his orchestra.

In some ways, the orchestra are the story today.

There were musicians playing with the orchestra, who were professionals from the Rio Rancho and Albuquerque area. When Calloway had problems bringing in his complete band, they jumped in to help out.

With only one-hour practice of before the concert, they performed as if they always had been playing with Calloway.

Reading music of course helps, but the challenge was still there.

Who would have known they had not been playing together for years?

Local musicians in part were Doug Lawrence, saxophonist; Sam Nesbitt, baritone sax; Kent Erickson, trumpet; and, Cesar Bauvallet, trombone. For those of you who were at the concert, the piano player and at least another saxophone and trumpet player were local professionals.

Of course, sometimes the silver lining has a dark shadow, and on a more serious note the purpose for the wonderful night of jazz was not accomplished. If only the few could have been many that night... only a third of the tickets were sold. Maybe, it was the night of the Rio Rancho High School Prom which hurt the band boosters trying to raise money for the Rio Rancho High School band.

Or, maybe it was just the luck of the draw, or the weather.Whatever the case may be, the night as delightful as it was to music lovers, who attended.

It was a disaster as a fund raiser. It left the band boosters $9,000 in the hole. To help, you can contribute to the Rio Rancho booster organization can contact Nancy Jacobs, 892-7132 or 892-2444.