Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians

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Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians' Bio: Countless people remember with nostalgia the tradition of Guy Lombardo with his Royal Canadians playing at New York City's Waldorf Astoria on New Year's Eve. Since the death of Lombardo in 1977, the playing of Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of midnight has becom e a tradition as it is performed by various bands before enthusiastic audiences throughout the world. Those who look back remember that distinctive recognizable style - the exaggerated saxophone vibratos, the clipped brass phrases, and a vocal styling that imm ediately identifies the orchestra as Guy Lombardo's. Guy was a master at picking the exact correct tempo, and his steady succession of beats made it a real pleasure to take your partner out for a swing on the dance floor.

It was a wonderful band. If you coul d move your legs at all, you could dance to the music of Guy Lombardo. It was the kind of band that you could just sit and listen to with friends as it never played so loud you couldn't hear to carry on a conversation. Besides their signature song Auld Lang Sy ne, the most important ingredient of the Guy Lombardo Orchestra was its consistency in playing wonderful tunes like Seems Like Old Times, Boo Hoo, Coquette, Sweethearts on Parade and Ain't She Sweet, all written by Carmen Lombardo. Johnson Rag, Bye Bye Blues, and Enjoy Yourself are also some of its recognizable tunes. Today's orchestra includes in its program an occasional Lombardo style arrangement of contemporary classic pop tunes.

On February 12, 1989, Al Pierson took up the baton of the famed Guy Lombardo's R oyal Canadians with the blessings, and a long-term contract, from the Lombardo family. This exciting new chapter in Pierson's life was a challenge that he was totally prepared for. He shows a dedication to the distinctive and recognizable style and grand tradi tion that made the Lombardo Orchestra one of the most listened to, talked about, and imitated big bands of all time. Al brings "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven" back to the prominence it so richly deserves. Al is beginning his ninteenth consec utive year as the leader of the Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians. He has taken this group internationally to 32 foreign countries, sometimes in the midst of revolutions within these countries.

In January 1, 2000, Pierson released, under Capriole Records, the G uy Lombardo's Royal Canadians with Al Pierson, "2000" Concert and Dance, which features some of Guy's greatest hits as played by Al Pierson from the original Lombardo scores. Since picking up the Lombardo baton, Pierson has gained ever-greater acclai m throughout the continental U.S. and Canada for his recreation of the sound of Guy Lombardo's original band. Mr. Pierson was broadcast weekly on PBS in many of America's cities and towns for a number of years. Pierson is known by his fans and associates as Mr . Personality and somewhat in a class with Liberace and Victor Borge. Pierson as been named in Who's Who in Entertainment. He has also been nominated to the highest acclaimed of all "Who's Who in the World".

Pierson is currently writing a musical f or TV with children's choirs, which has a theme based on 85 different animals, for lower grade children - "A Children's Animal Musical" with original music by Al Pierson. He is also writing a Christian musical for high school students. When he is on the road he finds time to do clinics and lectures in high schools and colleges. Obviously, Pierson is a very busy and dedicated man.

Born Albert Theodore Pizzamiglio, Al Pierson studied music theory and composition in college. University studies gave Pierson the opportunity to research the science of dance tempos and rhythms en route to receiving both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Illinois State University. In addition to his professional performance schedule, Pierson has taught music at schools and coll eges in Illinois and, in 1972, was nominated for "Illinois Teacher of the Year". Pierson has studied advanced composition and arranging with notable musicians, conductors, and composers. An accomplished musician, composer, arranger, vocalist, and ban d leader, Al Pierson was also the National Youth Music Director for the American Institute of Cooperation, for 14 years working in various universities across the United States.

Guy Lombardo's music lives on. … Read more