The public is invited to a Valentine’s Day ballroom dance at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at The Timbers of Shorewood retirement community, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood.
The Jay Mau Orchestra will provide the music of the Big Band era. This 10-piece band plays at about 35-40 dances a year, The Timbers being a favorite. Orchestra members hail from Indiana, the Chicago area and Joliet. Jay Mau is a resident of Channahon.
Mau's kindergarten teacher unwittingly launched his musical career when she made him director of the class's rhythm band. While at Taft School in Lockport, he wanted to play the trombone.
"I picked the trombone, but my arms weren't long enough to reach all the positions," Mau said. "The director -- Pops Leedom -- switched me to the trumpet."
From the trumpet, Mau moved on to the tuba, then to the string bass, which Mau now plays. At Lockport Township High School, Mau played in the school band and for school sock hops with The Jimmy Stevenson Swing Band.
Following two years with the U.S. Navy, he joined a polka band, The Al Piazza Trio. Four nights a week, Mau also performed with Donna Rae and The Gentlemen. For 14 years, Mau played with the Roy Gordon Orchestra. When Roy "Carlos" Gordon died, Mau purchased the orchestra, added some new music, and renamed the band The Jay Mau Orchestra.
"I wanted to keep this music going for as long as I could," Mau said.
In addition to the big band tunes of the 1930s and 1940s such as "Stardust," Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" and Frank Sinatra's "Laura,” Mau's orchestra also performs songs by The Beatles, Bobby Darin and Wayne Newton.
"I keep adding music that appeals to all audiences," Mau said. "I like to mix it up by playing waltzes, tangos, cha-chas, rumbas and fox trots. With 'Dancing with the Stars' so popular, we're seeing more young people dancing."
The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The dance is open to the public and admission is free, but space is limited. Reservations are requested. Call Shelly Goggins at 815-609-0669 or visit http://www.timbersofshorewood.com.
