Howard Beach residents enjoyed timeless music under the stars on Thursday, Aug. 29, during the annual Arnie Mig Big Band Concert.
Hosted by State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. (D-15), dozens of residents brought lawn chairs to the parking lot across the street from St. Helen’s, located at 82-0 157th Ave., to listen to the Music Staff Swing Orchestra, led by band leader Frank Pedulla. The event was also co-sponsored by State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-19), Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-23) and the elder law firm of Brady and Bader LLP and Exit Realty Central.
The event featured Swing classics, including “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller, “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman and “Take the A Train” by Duke Ellington. Eleven-year-old Howard Beach local George Lazurkenko dazzled the crowd as he opened the event with a rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” on the saxophone. Lazurkenko only learned to play the saxophone six months prior to the event.
Adrienne Slomin, who hails from Valley Stream, sang renditions of “The Lady is a Tramp” by Frank Sinatra and “You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want to Do It),” made famous by Al Jolson, and later by Patsy Cline. Trumpet player Omar Kabir of Gerritsen Beach also contributed a song, “I Can’t Get Started,” by Bunny Berigan.
The two-hour long event paid homage to Arnold “Arnie Mig” Migliaccio, the leader of the Serenaders in Blue Orchestra, who started the first annual swing concert for Howard Beach residents close to 30 years ago, bringing 1940s Big Band-era jazz to the local community.
The night ended with renditions of “Sugar Blues” by Clyde McCoy and “One O’Clock Jump” by Count Basie.
After Migliaccio died on June 7, 2009, Senator Addabbo inaugurated the Arnie Mig Memorial Big Band Concert to memorialize his legacy and the musical tradition he established.
Addabbo said he was delighted to return the concert to the community this year. “Arnie Mig filled Howard Beach with music and joy through his concerts, and it’s an honor to uphold the tradition he started so many years ago. I extend my gratitude to St. Helen’s parish, Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymember Pheffer Amato, Brady and Bader law firm and Exit Realty Central for their invaluable partnership in making this concert possible,” he said in a statement.
Senator Persaud and Assemblymember Pheffer Amato also praised the annual event for bringing the neighborhood together.
“Events such as this bring the community together. I look forward to partnering on other initiatives that will benefit the community,” Persaud said in a statement.
“It was so much fun to once again host this great event in Howard Beach,” Pheffer Amato said. “Thank you to Senator Addabbo, Senator Persaud and all the sponsors for supporting this tradition. Arnie Mig spread so much joy through his concerts, and it’s our pleasure to continue that legacy and have so many people come out for a great evening of live big band music.”
