Wayne Johnson’s Little Big Band

from Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles. Trinity Magazine. Vol. 17, Issue 9, September 2021.

by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Arts and Craft Fair

By: Joy Bergman

The magic of big band music is back, thanks to Tampa Bay’s new local big band, the “Wayne Johnson’s Little Big Band!” Now you can relive the excitement with classics like “Bubbles in Wine,” the band’s opening theme, or sing along to unforgettable hits like “New York, New York.” Grab a partner for the famous Liechtensteiner and Beer Barrel Polkas and fall in love all over again with ballads like “Let me Call you Sweetheart,” and “I love you Truly.” No matter your age or your favorite song or dance, you’ll find yourself swept away by the enchantment of the 1920s-40s music being kept alive by the band’s eight talented musicians and vocalists.

Wayne Johnson’s Little Big Band was founded by leader Wayne Johnson, a gifted multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with over 25 years of big band experience. When Wayne was just a young boy in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, he was inspired by his three musically talented uncles and their band called the Doleysh Brothers. As part of the big band music era, which is said to have peaked in the 1930s through the end of WWII, the Doleysh Brothers were very successful in the Wisconsin/Midwestern area for 20 years. After Wayne was bit by the music bug himself, he began focusing on performing and even touring with local bands in high school. Not long afterwards, his uncles retired from the group, leaving the up-and-coming performer to take over the band, which he later dubbed, “The Wayne Johnson Orchestra.”

After more than twentyfive successful years of running the band, Wayne retired and moved to Florida with his wife Nancy. However, it wasn’t long before Nancy talked Wayne back into the music scene, and the idea for a new big band was born...After five years of searching for the right band members, Wayne finally found each one through local advertisement, including through our very own magazine. With members aged 17 to 78 and everywhere in between, the “little big band” is now complete, and is looking forward to sharing their talents and unique sound with the Tampa Bay area.

Wayne and his righthand man, David Hubbard, are both accomplished trumpet and clarinet players, alto saxophonists, and vocalists in the band. Full-time musician Wayne Pearson plays the Baritone Saxophone, as well as the Alto Saxophone and the Clarinet. Debbie Louise is a gifted vocalist in the group, while Gary Mobbs, the band’s drummer, thrills with his singing and drumming skills. Charlene Connelly is the band’s signature

pianist, and member James Kannard is a Tenor Saxophone and Clarinet player. The band’s youngest member, Keith Scott, plays the Bass Guitar and Tuba.

After a year and a half of practicing, the group is ready to perform! With their eyes set on Oktoberfest, the team is working hard on getting into the traditional German celebration. “No one is playing our style of music,” David Hubbard says. And this is true. Even at our city’s own Oktoberfest celebration, there have been no authentic polka bands. But Wayne Johnson’s Little Big Band is planning on changing that this fall. With lively polkas that get the crowd dancing, such as the popular Liechtensteiner polka, sung by David in German, a variety of audiences will appreciate the band’s unique style. While the group excels with their polka music, they also specialize in waltzes and modern music. To top it off, the band even uses the same “library of music,” that Wayne’s uncles did in the 1940s, which means that some of the songs are more than a century old.

In addition to being an ideal choice for Oktoberfest, Wayne Johnson’s Little Big Band is sure to impress for many other events. Whether you’re planning a church picnic, a wedding, a jazz party or a festival, you can assure that the group will be professional and ready to perform for every occasion. Reminisce with family and friends over timeless hits like “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” and “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.” Waltz along to classics like the “Anniversary Waltz,” and introduce the next generation to big band music with feel-good songs such as “Tiny Bubbles,” and Louis Armstrong’s “12th Street Rag.” Despite its size, the group really can “make a big band sound with a little band,” as well as play up to 3-4 hours per gig. While they are just getting started, big things are already in store for the band, such as a soon-tobe released demo tape featuring their talents. But don’t wait for the band to book up! Hire Wayne Johnson’s Little Big Band today, and bring home the excitement of the early to mid 20th century to your family, friends, and community. Though they may be small, they are here to stay and make a BIG impression on our local music scene. Break a leg, “little big band!”