2025.07.24 THROW BACK THURSDAY - 25th ANNIVERSARY
THROW BACK THURSDAY - 25th ANNIVERSARY
OF THE FORMATION OF SWING BAND REUNION
plus CLASS NEWS
25 years ago, Betty Chandler started thinking of the wonderful years she spent at Central and her greatest joy was playing in
the Swing Band. She decided to see what some of the other guys were doing since Central after attending college, marrying,
raising a family and now nearing retirement. She called Richard Tackett and a couple more of the former Swing Band members.
It started with a few and has ended up 25 years later with a talented and polished 20-piece band renamed Swing Band Reunion.
This Friday night Swing Band Reunion will be appearing at the Dreamland Ballroom on 9th Street, the site of unbelievable talent
appearing regularly to sing and play swing and jazz music. In fact, the last appearance at Dreamland was in the 60's and it
was Ella Fitzgerald. If you haven't gotten a ticket yet and find you can come, don't worry, you can pay at the door. $20. Hope
to see you there. Oh, and thanks to all of you '56ers from far and near who have donated to help us have a bang-up evening!
You're Invited to Salute the Legends of Dreamland!
This Friday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m., the historic Dreamland Ballroom will come alive once again with the sounds of classic jazz and swing, as Swing Band Reunion (SBR) takes the stage for a one-night-only celebration of music and history. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online:
Buy tickets now
This landmark performance marks the triumphant return of Big Band music to Dreamland Ballroom, a revered venue that hosted some of the greatest names in jazz and blues from the 1920s through the 1960s. After more than fifty years of silence, the echoes of legends like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Etta James, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Jimmie Lunceford, and Arkansas’s own Louis Jordan will once again fill the air.
Swing Band Reunion is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the modern extension of the outstanding 1956 Central High School Swing Band. The ensemble has performed throughout Central Arkansas, including at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater, churches, retirement communities, and at the 2024 Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Join us as we honor Dreamland’s extraordinary legacy and keep its musical spirit alive for a new generation!
Betty Chandler, still hitting those keys!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1956 CLASS NEWS
Our sincere condolences to the family of Clarence "Sonny" Biggs who passed away July 19, 2025. Sonny's wife died about
two years ago. They had no children. I recently called Sonny and learned that he was on the computer, but having problems
right now. However, he made a big point to let me know he was still mowing his lawn. That's better than me!!!!
I heard from Jane Brockman and Dale Briggs that they have moved to Woodland Heights and love it already. Now they'll get to visit
often with Annette Cole and Terry Watson who have been residents there for years now.
I also have received word that Betty Barnard's husband, Ben Reece, passed away last week. Betty passed away in 2019.
Betty and Ben met at Arkansas Tech, married and raised 6 children -- 5 girls and a boy. They will be buried here in Little Rock
at Pinecrest along with their dog.
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