PALM COAST, Fla. (April 18, 2023) – Delivering an acapella version of The Genies’ ‘Who’s That Knockin’”, and a standout horn section performance of Glenn Miller’s ‘In the Mood’ it was more than a trip down memory lane with Rocky and The Rollers at the Flagler Auditorium on Saturday evening.
As the 2022-23 season comes to a close, there have been two spring shows that while they didn’t sell out, were some of the most memorable performances for those who really appreciate their entertainment out of the box.
Connecting Aspiring Performers to the Pros
The Swingtime Jive Aces were an absolute knock out if you love swing and jazz. Leaving it all on stage, their appearance in March, on a Sunday evening, was unforgettable.
“The Swingtime Jive Aces are the number one swing and jive band in the UK. They’ve actually played at Royal Albert Hall for the Queen, so they’ve been around for a while,” said Flagler Auditorium Director Amelia Fulmer.
“They won Britain’s Got Talent and then they’ve been traveling. They were here in 2018 and we were happy to welcome them back again.”
Members of the Flagler Youth Orchestra attended the March show and program director Cheryl Tristam was thrilled for her students to have the opportunity to see the band’s performance.
“It’s a completely different style of music that our students are not usually exposed to, although we have actually played one of those pieces,” she said, posing for a selfie with several students.
Combining arts and education, members of the Flagler Youth Orchestra were invited to a rehearsal of the Ukraine National Philharmonic Orchestra earlier in the season at the Flagler Auditorium, led by world-renowned principal conductor Theodore Kuchar as they prepared to open their 40-stop U.S. tour in Vero Beach, Florida.
Tristam sees these unique opportunities to interface with performers through the Flagler Auditorium as a chance to continue adding to the repertoire of the orchestra’s players.
“Once again they’re seeing professional musicians perform on their home stage. We believe very strongly that a well-rounded music education includes being a patron at live performances. For them to be able to see the bass player, in particular, up on stage, it’s just amazing.”
Passing It On … Those Who Will Follow
Bringing the professional circuit full circle, Rocky and The Rollers closed their show with a shout out to vocalist and drummer Gerry ‘Rocky’ Seader’s family in the audience.
Seader’s daughter Francesca Medlin was joined by her five-year-old daughter Rylee, and Seader’s fiancée Kathleen Kane for the show.
The connection? It’s local.
“My husband is from here, he went to FPC,” said Medlin.
“It’s very exciting to see my dad on stage here. It’s where I live and I get to come see him. It’s nice when he comes to our hometown because then we get to bring her,” said Medlin, who hopes Rylee will continue the family’s love of entertainment as she watches her grandfather on the very auditorium stage she may one grace.
Growing up with the music her father performs, Medlin counts Charlie Thomas, from The Drifters and Doris Jackson from the original Shirelles, both in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as her godparents.
A love of the classics and the artists who perform them, is in her soul.
“We grew up around this music. It’s all I listened to growing up. I actually have met a lot of the acts,” said Medlin.
“My dad loves music and we’re hoping it will continue with her.”
As for Seader, a stop in northeast Florida is one he’s happy to put on the band’s national tour schedule.
