acreamer@sacbee.com (Anita Creamer)

Web Site: http://www.sacbee.com/music/v-full/index.html

Big-band era finally closing for longtime Sacramento devotees

Apr 28, 2013

Lou Coppola, executive director of the Nor Cal Big Bands Preservation Society, looks over a CD of big-band music at his Land Park home. Coppola, 85, and fellow members will hold the group's final dance on May 19.This was the music that accompanie...

Musician Nat Brown’s gift brings good vibes to Sacramento widow, 92

Jan 16, 2013

Saxophonist Nat Brown, 73, won a year's free stay at a senior living facility – valued at $50,000 – that he couldn't use. He ended up donating it to 92-year-old widow Edna Hunt, who was looking for a new home.Sitting in a cozy office at...

1960s Sacramento band plans latest summer reunion

Aug 17, 2012

NOW: Three Parish Hall veterans – from left, John Roina, Carl Ramirez and Mike Andrews – rehearse for their reunion concert, planned in Ramirez's Rancho Cordova backyard. "When we met again after all those years, it was a real nice feel...

Documentary on senior Olympians to be shown at Crest

May 5, 2012

Keith Ochwat admits that he and his Documentary Foundation partner, Christopher Rufo, both 27-year-old Sacramento natives, learned a lot in the making of "Age of Champions," their new film about Senior Olympics athletes. "A lot of people my age hav...

Sacramento seniors beat Japanese drums for exercise, concentration and relieving frustration

Mar 28, 2012

Rebecca Warren, left, and Elizabeth Xiu Wong move a drum into place for the class. Wong, 58, said she joined because her grown daughter plays taiko. Kay Amundsen, 87, knows exactly why she likes the new taiko drumming class at Ethel M. Hart Senio...