L

COURT HOUSE - The newly founded Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra played its first concert Saturday Oct. 17 featuring music ranging from Irving Berlin to Elvis.

Music Director Linda Gentille took center stage at a grand piano with 13 outstanding musicians. The orchestra featured three bass players, two guitars, a violin and a five piece horn section.

Gentille demonstrated some incredible left-hand, right-hand independence on piano and delighted the audience when she took requests and tied  songs together in a medley.She closed the show with a medley of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."

Drummer Donny Vosburgh played a tasty solo on "Sing, Sing, Sing." Jim Yester sang a Jerry Lee Lewis song and added an extra hand to Gentille's piano.

Gentille wowed the audience with Billy Joel's "Rootbeer Rag," and an ever increasing faster version of "Alexander's Ragtime Band."

The Jersey Shore Pops will start a full season of concerts Aug. 17, 2010. For information, see: www.jerseyshorepops.com

PHOTO: JSP conductor Linda Gentille and trumpet soloist Cliff Buggs.