OAKLAND — The Al Corey Big Band brought down the house Sunday in a tribute to longtime pianist and music educator Gerry Wright, of Winslow.

More than 300 people, including musicians from all over the state, turned out for the afternoon concert at Messalonskee Performing Arts Center to honor Wright, who helped develop an exceptional music program at Messalonskee High School over the 28 years he was choral instructor there.

The choral director and piano instructor at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield for the last 10 years, Wright has been the pianist with the Al Corey Band many years, was a member of the Fred Petra Band and plays with the Gerry Wright Trio.

He has performed at world fairs and with celebrities including Elvis Presley, Phyllis Diller, the Lennon Sisters and Dizzy Gillespie.

Al Corey Band leader and trumpet player Brian Nadeau, a former student of Wright’s, told Sunday’s audience that being able to work with Wright is “beyond a musical honor for me.”

“He is an iconic figure, and he is one of the best in the country — he really is — and he is our own,” Nadeau said.

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Wright, 81, was lauded by not only Nadeau, but by other musicians, including bass player Al Doane, brother to Don Doane, a trombone player who had a band in Portland Wright played with in the 1960s and ’70s, and Loren Fields, a French horn player with the Downeast Brass Quintet who also is band director for Lawrence Junior High and High schools.

In a surprise presentation, Fields read aloud letters to Wright from both Gov. Paul LePage and U.S. Congressman Bruce Poliquin, who praised him for being an extraordinary performer and educator and for creating a lasting legacy.

LePage’s letter said Wright had touched countless lives.

“Gerry, your talent and passion make you well-deserving of today’s tribute,” the letter said.

Nadeau also read aloud a letter from Don Doane, who is now in a nursing home.

Wright had walked onto the stage Sunday to rousing applause, sat down at a grand piano and gave the 16-piece band an “A” note.

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He and the band, which on Sunday included members of the Don Doane Alumni Band, played a rousing rendition of “Sweet Georgia Brown” followed by “When You’re Smiling.”

“Big Bands are not playing seven nights a week anymore,” Nadeau said. “That’s over. That’s done. But what an excitement, what an honor to be here honoring Gerry Wright.”

Nadeau said that while big band music is not drawing audiences as it did years ago, he hopes the dream can continue. Wright, he said, is passionate about educating youth.

“For us to be able to give back and honor him today is incredible.”

Vocalists Virginia Palmer and Steve Fotter performed with Palmer singing “Moonglow” and other big band favorites. Fotter, a former student of Wright, sang songs including “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and a Frank Sinatra vocal medley with “Strangers in the Night” and “My Way.” He received a standing ovation.

At intermission, longtime friends, fellow musicians and students lined up to greet Wright on the stage as a slide show honoring him was shown nearby. Wright’s wife, Sharon, also greeted guests.

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Fotter, a full-time guitar instructor in Benton, said Wright was his choral director at Messalonskee High School in the early 1970s and was a great teacher.

Fotter recalled that the first song Wright worked with the students on was “People.”

“You remember things like that because he was such a great influence,” Fotter said. “I was in the choir, and he taught us harmony and how to sing these gorgeous pieces we’d never done before, and they were complicated. He didn’t teach us how to sing. He taught us how to hear music better and harmonies and pitch.”

Messalonskee Arts Center Director Susan Perrino said she was pleased with Sunday’s event.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “I’m so glad we did this. I know he’s excited.”

Elaine Burton, of Oakland, said her late daughter, Maureen, was a student of Wright, as was her son, Mark, who played alto saxophone in the jazz orchestra at Messalonskee. Maureen Burton was in the chorus and did plays and musical theater with Wright.

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“He’s been a blessing to so many youngsters that worked to pursue a career in music, and I just felt blessed to be a parent of a child that had a talent,” Elaine Burton said. “I just treasure his friendship and what he’s done for music in the whole area.”

She said Sunday’s concert was marvelous: “I am enthralled.”

Laurie Joseph and her husband, Paul Chvostovsky, of Belgrade, celebrated their third wedding anniversary Sunday by attending the concert. Joseph’s late father, Peter Joseph, who died last year, was a cousin to Al Corey, who died in 2003, and they were best friends, Laurie Joseph said.

“I’ve known Gerry (Wright) since I was a little kid,” she said. “Oh, my God, he’s an amazing pianist, and today is well-deserved for him. It makes me so happy that he keeps big band music going.”

Wright and band member Rick Gordon on clarinet performed “Emily,” a piece that began with a slow, soulful melody and turned upbeat and rhythmic. The performance prompted a standing ovation from both the band and audience.

Nadeau asked the man of honor if he wanted to say anything.

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A modest Wright left his piano bench, saying, “You gotta be kidding me” to laughter from the audience.

“When you’re in a classroom with kids, it usually isn’t this quiet.”

He said he wanted to tell a true story and recalled that when he did weekend gigs in Boston years ago, it was difficult to stay awake while driving home to Maine, so he would pull over and take a nap.

One night, he heard a knock on the car window and saw two men in stocking masks looking at him.

“He’s one of them,” Wright said, pointing to Al Doane. His story drew more laughter.

On a more serious note, Wright, who turned emotional for a few seconds, thanked the band and audience.

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“I hope we can all get together sometime and make music,” he said.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @AmyCalder17


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