Dr. Earl Hesse is a world class clarinet player of the caliber of Pete Fountain. Earl has been inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame, and has performed with symphony orchestras and big bands as well as combos. Dr. Hesse has taught for many years at Henderson State University and has played (weekends) at the Arlington for a number of years. Earl is the sax section leader of the Stardust Big Band.

Byron Yancey was born in Ukiah, California and presently resides in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He spent 4 years touring Europe, Scandinavia, the Balkans and North Africa with the U.S. Air Force band based at Ramstein Airbase, Germany. While in the service, Yancey’s colleagues – several of whom were graduates of Berklee College of Music in Boston and Julliard School of Music in New York – mentored him at a level of proficiency equal to those fine music schools. Since then, Byron has appeared on stage with such varied acts as The Drifters, Black Oak Arkansas, and Diamond Rio. Yancey’s versatility keeps him in demand playing styles ranging from Jazz to Rock to Country.

Bill Halbrook was born in the Mississippi Delta and began playing drums in garage bands at an early age. His training continued in college as he earned a master’s degree in music while playing with university organizations as principal chair, as well as professionally with local groups and in several studios. Bill was a member of a road band for four years, and has made three musical tours of Europe. He is a composer/arranger as well as a percussionist/vocalist, and has been called on to sight read concerts on both drum set and timpani. Halbrook has performed with Herb Ellis, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and the DeCastro Sisters. He currently plays with Sweet Mother, The Stardust Big Band/Arkansas Jazz Orchestra, and other local musicians in need of his versatile style.

The program will consist of the following favorites:

1. Secret Love
2. As Time Goes By
3. The Days of Wine and Roses
4. S'Wonderful
5. Over the Rainbow
6. Blue Skies
7. On the Street Where You Live
8. On Green Dolphin Street
9. Moon Glow - Picnic
10. My Funny Valentine
11. Stormy Weather
12. In a Little Spanish Town
13. The Lady is a Tramp
14. White Christmas