ABOUT THE SJO

Nearly three decades ago, Henry Mason was playing trombone in the Callanwolde Concert Band, an all-volunteer community concert band, in Decatur, Georgia. During an after-rehearsal conversation with one of his friends, the subject of Big Bands was raised, and Henry found out that his friend had a collection of old "stock" Big Band arrangements from years gone by. His interest was piqued and within weeks he had gathered together enough musician friends to "read down" some of these old charts. Henry was hooked . . . and the seed was planted.

A few months later the Sentimental Journey Orchestra was born. (See our very first photo at right!) The name came about primarily from admiration of the famous Les Brown band, and secondarily, the words of that old song title evoked the spirit of what we initially set out to do: pay homage to all the greats of the Big Band Era . . . that is, take our own sentimental journey!

We started with borrowed stands and lights, a hand-me-down book of stocks and a lot of enthusiasm. The initial nucleus of players came out of the Callanwolde Concert Band. With a little additional networking on the part of Henry Mason, the group was finally filled out with 17 eager musicians. Some of the original members are still playing with us today! We played our first gig at The Old English Inn just outside Atlanta, on December 13, 1975, and now, over three decades later, the SJO is still pleasing its audiences!

Here we are at (above and below) Atlanta's Hyatt Regency, a
few years back before we updated our stands and uniforms, playing to an
audience in excess of 2,000 New Year's Eve revelers.

Through the years, the SJO has played for audiences of all sizes; from a small wedding reception of 75 persons, to a major corporate event with an audience of 5,500. We've played country clubs, hotels, resorts, charity balls, anniversary parties, retirement parties and charity/fundraising society affairs. We've played on the edge of a meadow, a huge convention center, and the historic stage of Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre, and been through the back doors of more hotels than a cheap detective.

We do what we do because we love the music and the sound of the Big Band. We are rehearsed once a week, year round by our rehearsal conductor, a music professional, who earns his bread playing jazz on the Atlanta area scene. He rehearses us with enthusiasm, and any quality we have achieved is a direct result of his consummate musicianship.

Dedication
Four of our number have passed on, leaving us with beautiful memories of their musical presence: Doyle Faler, Carl Loosier, Michael "Mike" O'Hara, and Conway Stewart. All thoroughly loved the SJO and contributed greatly to it while they were among us. Those contributions cannot go unmentioned here, for without them and their unstinting support we might never have made it this far.

Doyle Faler-Piano
SJO TENURE: 27 YEARS.

Just one day before the SJO was to begin its 30th year, we received the news of Doyle's passing. Doyle was a native of Elk City, Kansas who came to Atlanta in 1961. He attended Philips University in Enid, Oklahoma where he played tuba in the University Band until he graduated with a BA degree in English. After arriving in Atlanta he worked for the Colonial Pipeline Company. He retired in 1992, as a computer programmer (don't ask how a degree in English translated into computer skills!) after thirty-five years of service to that company. Doyle came to the SJO, to replace our original pianist, just as we were beginning our second year. He was with us ever since. His affable good humor and frequent after-the-gig breakfasts in his mid-town high-rise apartment, are among the SJO's treasured memories. Doyle passed away peacefully at his condo, on December 11, 2004. He'll be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Doyle had left a request with his executors that the SJO play at his memorial service. This was a request that we enthusiastically fulfilled. The memorial service was not a somber affair, but a joyous affair. Two hundred of Doyle's friends neighbors, relatives and fellow band members were in attendance to tell "Doyle stories" and other memories about this affable and much loved man. It was an evening of which Doyle would have approved...and will surely be remembered by each of us who knew him.

Here's a 1986 clip of Doyle as he plays "the Count's part" on a Count Basie Orchestra classic arrangement!

Moten Swing (1:16)

Carl Loosier - Lead Tenor
SJO TENURE: 7 YEARS

Carl, a life-long musician, was born in Decatur, Alabama, on July 20, 1925. By the time he was in his early teens his family had settled in Memphis, Tennessee. His musical skills were already then quite formidable. As a high schooler he played bassoon with the Memphis Symphony and was described by the "Commercial Appeal" as "Memphis' most promising musician." His musical career justified that early praise. He went on to play with the bands of Johnny Long, Jimmy Dorsey, and Charlie Barnett, to name just a few. He and his wife Helen and their son and three daughters moved to the Atlanta area in 1964. Carl joined the SJO in 1978 and played with us until his untimely passing in August of 1985. He used his arranging skills to arrange many tunes for us, all of which are still on our "playlist!" His good humor, musical skills and encouragement are still greatly missed by all who knew him.

Listen to the following clip (circa 1983) of Carl...you'll see one of the reasons we loved him!

After You've Gone (:52)

Mike O'Hara - Drums
SJO TENURE: 14 YEARS

Mike was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Choosing the drums as his instrument, Mike played all through high school and on into college. He attended the University of Alabama and while there played on the highly regarded Alabama Cavaliers dance band. He went to New York after graduation and became a student of the very well known Henry Adler. The changing musical scene put an end to his dreams of being a Big Band drummer, so Mike changed his career path, winding up in Public Relations. He finally retired after a 30-year stint with a financial institution as its Director of Marketing. Still in the possession of his drumming skills, and full of love for Big Bands, Mike came to us in 1978, and except for a short time, played with us until his death in 1994.

Here's Mike (in 1984) keeping us together on a difficult latin-style arrangement.

Bessame Mucho (1:12)

Conway Stewart - Trumpet and Trombone
SJO TENURE: 18 YEARS

Conway Stewart, a life long musician, came to the SJO when in his early sixties. He had played throughout his life, at one time or another, with nearly every group in the Atlanta area, and was well known by most local musicians. Even on the evening of his death, reports a family member, he received a call to perform at a holiday gig from someone ignorant of his passing! His musical skills were still valued! He began with the SJO in our trumpet section where he stayed for a number of years. When we found ourselves in need of a new bass trombonist...and couldn't immediately find a likely candidate...Conway stepped up and said he would fill in until we could find someone. (The trombone had been his original choice of instruments). This temporary assignment lasted for the remainder of his tenure with the SJO. Medical problems and a prolonged recovery period forced his reluctant retirement from the band. Conway will be remembered for his versatility, helpfulness and unflagging good humor. His contributions to the SJO were numerous, valuable and valued. Always quick to use his musical skills, he repaired, restored or created literally hundreds of parts. With just this one contribution he made many, many arrangements usable again. Conway, a WW II veteran, was married (Helen) and had two sons (Billy and Robert) and two daughters (Carol and Nancy). He passed away quietly on Sunday, December 7, 1997 at the age of eighty-one.