The Silver Tones Just Keep Swinging

The Silver Tones Just Keep Swinging

By Anita L. Sherman

Glenn Miller. Benny Goodman. Tommy Dorsey. Duke Ellington. Woody Herman. Coming out of the Great Depression, the sounds of these musical titans and many others during the 1930s and ‘40s lifted the spirits of a nation that had been caught in the grip of economic and social malaise as well as a World War.

Swinging into a new era was just the ticket to help propel people forward…to make them feel good again.

“Music is curative, it’s enriching,” said Dave Shuma, who, along with his wife, Wendy Marie, created The Silver Tones Swing Band in 2012. Ten years later, their music continues to liven up any gathering—a private birthday celebration, a charity ball, a New Year’s Eve gala and anything else in between.

The musical dynamic duo of vocalist Wendy Marie and trumpeter Dave Shuma lead The Silver Tones Swing Band.

Photo by Patrick Nye

“It started in our garage,” said trumpeter Dave, who has watched the band grow over the years to now include more than a dozen volunteer professional musicians from the Northern Virginia area.

“It’s the best music ever,” said Wendy Marie. In addition to partnering with Dave and The Silver Tones, she’s had 18 years with the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal on the French horn. It’s not an easy instrument to master, but one that offers “good pitch.”

“You could sing,” Dave said, looking lovingly at his wife and remembering when they created their own version of the Andrews Sisters, the Silver Belles vocal trio, with Wendy Marie as lead vocalist. She’s now joined by Larke Pain, Laura Mills and Mitzi Fox.

Wendy Marie and Gene Bates are also solo vocalists sharing the music of Natalie Cole and her father, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Bette Midler, Peggy Lee and many others.

“There are just so many good songs,” said Wendy Marie, noting how they like to mix things up depending on the audience and the venue.

Fundraising plays a major role in their passion to spread their music. And education is a key component, as well. They’ve donated thousands over the years to various musical programs in the local middle and high schools. During the process, music students are often given the opportunity to play with the band.

“It’s a thrill for them and us,” said Wendy Marie. “They get to feel what it’s like to be part of something larger…and to be encouraged and supported in their musical pursuits.”

The Silver Tones have performed all over the D.C. Metropolitan area, including the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, the Harris Pavilion, and the Hylton Performing Arts Center among many others.

“The Silver Tones worked hard to help make our 100th Anniversary Gala the best Chamber event that I remember attending,” said Marianne Clyde, then chairwoman of the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce board when it was held last November. “They were fully invested in making it a success. They were easy to work with and flexible. They kept our guests dancing all the way until the end of the party.”

Playing for veterans’ groups is another venue they particularly enjoy. Dave works closely with the VFW out of Culpeper and regularly plays the bugle at military services.

“We all need ways to feel better,” he said. “Music can do that. And we haven’t missed a beat.”

Contact: Wendy Marie or Dave Shuma silver.tones@ yahoo.com or at www.SilverTonesSwingBand.com.