Moonlight Serenade woos music lovers, dancers

Enticed by an evening of romance and a performance by the Wimberley Valley Big Band, more than 75 people attended the Moonlight Serenade at the community center on Saturday, Feb. 11.

One of the Wimberley Community Civic Club’s Spring Events, the music and dance evening thrilled guests with a well-curated mix of music by such treasured composers as Glenn Miller, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Louis Armstrong, Cole Porter, Les Brown and Norah Jones. Light jazz and tango music were also on the band’s song list, and dancers responded with waltz, tango, lindy and swing moves that drew applause from onlookers.

The event attracted swing dancers Mark and Tabitha Morales; WVBB fans Bonnie Mattson, Preston Riggs, Aakash Patel and Sung Kim; and Civic Club members, their sweethearts and friends. Tablemates bonded during the evening with small talk, music trivia, and a remark by Guy Ben-Moshe of Buda that, “This music should be introduced to high school students for its value as American Culture – of the unplugged variety,” that sparked assenting discussion throughout the evening.

The Big Band’s director, Doug Gillory, held the audience in thrall with a patter of anecdotes, asides and knowledge of musical trivia.

Modest about his achievements, Gillory has led a long career in professional music, including playing clarinet with the Houston Symphony, and managing many well-known bands for shows with greats like Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Bob Hope and Patti Page. He played clarinet, sax, and flute for nationally known jazz groups like Stan Kenton, Les Elgar and Maynard Ferguson, as well as performing in recording studios in multiple big cities. Originally from Louisiana, he moved to Wimberley from The Woodlands in 2012. He counts Doc Severinsen, retired jazz trumpeter and former NBC orchestra leader on The Tonight Show, as one of his friends. Severinsen assists Gillory with arrangements of songs for the WVBB, which now numbers at a thousand.

Following a break, the joyful, jazzy tune, “Watermelon Man” prompted Gillory to express his appreciation of his fellow musicians.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve to play with guys like these,” he said, following solos by trumpeter Tom Hastings and trombonist Zach Nobles, a Texas State University student.

Among those musicians is his wife, Pat Gillory, who is a keyboardist and vocal soloist. Her rendition of “Feeling Good” by Newly and Bricusse, seemed to sum up the mood of the crowd and brought vigorous applause.

Gillory feted percussionist Rob Ward as “the best drummer in Austin who has played in all 54 states.” It was one of several times that Gillory’s comments elicited laughs from the audience.

The main soloist of the evening was Kathy Burnett, bringing down the house with the Aretha Franklin number, “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,” made famous by Carole King, “and,” instructed Gillory, “is actually a gospel waltz.” Later in the set, Burnett sang the Norah Jones song, “I Don’t Know Why,” which showcased her sultry style. The band’s “Sentimental Journey” and “Night and Day” followed, and the evening culminated in a rich arrangement of “Over the Rainbow.”

Refreshments, Valentine- themed nibbles, a selfie backdrop and a novel handbag auction rounded out the event.

Moonlight Serenade organizers were Pearly Rihn and Lauren Groves, chair and cochair of 2023 Spring Events. Their efforts contribute to the monies raised by the Civic Club each year to fund area nonprofits and student scholarships.