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Issue date: 11/1/06 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Sarah Gerace The Rick Martorano 17-piece Concert Jazz Band is comprised of area professionals from every walk of life. The band enjoys regional acclaim for its concert jazz format. The 'Evening of Jazz and Swing' concert featured popular standards.

Rick Martorano's 17-piece Concert Jazz Band was onstage at the Daytona Beach Community College's Theater Center in a concert called "An Evening of Jazz and Swing."
The October benefit show featured a repertoire of unforgettable classics, such as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Today More Than Yesterday." As expected, Dr. Martorano - who is recognized for a track record of success in terrific musical presentations that enthuse as well as entertain - gave magnificent piano solos throughout the concert, accompanied by his experienced 14 instrumentalists and four vocalists.
Three hundred people paid for the show, as well as for the chance to help DBCC's Fresh Start Program.
Tickets at $10 each were a reasonable way to enjoy music and benefit a social project that not only helps women get training for a better professional life, but also gives them emotional support.
In fact, Dr. Martorano and his wife, Ann, produced and presented the show especially for the Women's Center, whose goal is to help displaced homemakers who are going back to school and trying to find employment.
"It is rewarding for the time you put in. It reinforces camaraderie. It gives essential tools to build self-confidence… and it gives hope," said Barbara Miles, a student of the Fresh Start Program who recently got a job. She vowed that she would never have obtained this satisfying job without the support of the Fresh Start Program and its members.
The show was run in a family atmosphere driven by the active and humorous Dr. Martorano. Sometimes he and his wife, who was one of the soloists, stood on stage hand-in-hand to tease each other and tell the audience a few anecdotes. Besides, Dr. Martorano's and his charming front ladies' solos were both well-rehearsed and well-sung, which delighted the audience.
Some people in the audience discovered the band for the first time, while others, primarily composed of faculty members, came to hear a musician that was well-known in the area. Dr. Martorano served as adjunct faculty in the DBCC Cultural and Performing Arts Department and was former Director of the Broadcast Communications Program in the Division of Mass Communications at Bethune-Cookman College.
Miles, as well as many other spectators, came outside the concert room amused. They showed their appreciation for the show with a great round of applause after the finale. It was clear by their response that they agreed with the words of Linda Cupick, DBCC legal assistance teacher, who declared it a "wonderful evening."

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