If you're an avid fan of the inimitable sounds of the timeless music of the big band era of the 1940's who loves to dance, then the Wave Lounge at the Blue Lake Casino is definitely the place to be this weekend.

On Friday night, from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., the local big swing band “For Swingin' Dancers” will make its first appearance featuring fourteen of Humboldt's most talented and dedicated professional musicians.

And, although the band itself has just been together for about two years, many have played together in various other popular groups around the area.

Led by Burt Codispoti (who plays lead trumpet), the dynamic ensemble includes: Brad Werren and Matt Beck on trumpet; George Epperson, Bodie Pfost and Mitch Steffen on trombone; Chris Larsen, Ginny Ryder, Susie Laraine, Rancy Carrico and Heather Benson on sax. The rhythm section features Patty Holbrook on piano, Baron Wolfe on bass, and Roger Brown on drums.

Codispoti says that everyone involved is a life-long player of all kinds of music in general, but love performing big band music in particular. That's why they play with “For Swingin' Dancers”--simply because they want to keep the joyful sounds of classic big band music alive.

Of course, this being Humboldt County, most members make their livings during the daytime hours working other “regular” jobs in order to be able to “afford” to play music in the evenings on weekends at clubs and venues.

For instance, Codispoti lives in Southern Humboldt (in Redcrest) and teaches at Matolle Triple Junction High School in Honeydew. So, when he schedules musical gigs as far away as Blue Lake, that's quite a personal commitment.

Born in Southern California, he says he fell in love with the big bands when his dad (a WWII vet) played his favorite old records at home, introducing the youngster to the golden sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman and all the other musical giants of the time.

So, it was a natural thing for Codispoti to become fascinated with when he himself became a musician. Therefore, he not only learned to play it himself, but continued wanting to perform the swing band charts with other musicians who also loved this danceable musical genre.

After moving to the North Coast, he was able to do just that with a swing band called “For Dancers Only,” that played together for about 10 years.

However, when the group broke up around five years ago, he says lot of his fellow members felt “it left a musical void” that they eventually wanted to fill.

”We had become kind of a musical family, and we missed those jobs, and the classic swing charts we played for dancers, because they were so much fun,” Codispoti said. “They were just pure joy!"

And, now, Codispoti and his big band “family members” have not only regrouped, they're rarin' to go with an evening of your favorite golden oldies; and invite all of you swingin' dancers to join them -- free of charge -- this Friday night at the Blue Lake Casino.

That's right. Admission will be absolutely free for you and your partner to trip the light fantastic in the casino's popular Wave Lounge from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.

So, don't miss the chance to come out and dance to some of the biggest big band hits played by some of Humboldt's finest musicians: “For Swingin' Dancers.”