<bt>Robert Redding is a Potomac resident and a member of the Olney Big Band who perform all over Montgomery County. The band was recently named an Ambassador or Big Band Music by the Big Band Hall of Fame. Their next performance will Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Old Towne Festival in Gaithersburg. Visit www.olneyjazz.org for more information and a performance schdule.

What community are you a member of, what brought you to it and how long have you been here?

My residence is in, Potomac, Maryland 20854. My home is located in the Fox Hills West subdivision of Montgomery County where I have lived for 35 years.

Family.

I have three children who have musical talent and have now reached their mature years. My daughter, Rose Mersky, graduated from the Walter Johnson High School and Duke University. My oldest son, Robert E. Redding, Jr., graduated from Walter Johnson High School and earned his college degree from Union College. Douglas G. Redding, my youngest son, graduated from Walter Johnson High School and the University of Maryland.

Being a senior citizen (age 88), I still have an active family connection with two great grand-daughters.

My deceased wife, Virginia Redding, died four years ago from a fatal automobile accident in Delaware. She was smarter than me.

Where did you get your education and in what areas?

I was raised in the farming area of northern Indiana and graduated from the Rockcreek Center High School near Ft.Wayne, Indiana. I attended Ohio State University for five years and received an Arts degree in political science. I later obtained a Juris Doctor degree in law from the Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

How would you describe yourself?

I served in the Executive, Legislative, Judicial and Regulatory Branches of the Federal Government, also in the United Nations, and Maryland state and local governments. This wide variety of government service provided many opportunities for legal services, including international transportation.. It enabled me to travel extensively and make lasting friendships with other professional people. I provided legal services for many trade associations and practiced tax and transportation law for 30 years. Thus, I consider myself an experienced lawyer but have now reached the age making it necessary to retire from the active practice of law.

What do you consider to be your biggest achievements?

As a lawyer, decades of professional service have been most satisfying, from serving as a judge in the Montgomery County judicial system to becoming the international president (Supreme Justice) of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, the largest professional law fraternity in the world.

The most satisfying recognition of my achievements was

being designated as worthy for "Who’s Who in America," "Who’s Who in American Law," and "Who’s Who in the World." I consider myself as a Man of the World.

Activities/interests/hobbies.

I have enjoyed a multitude of instrumental and vocal music experiences, active participation in law fraternity relations with the U.S Supreme Court, and observing sporting events.

Favorite local restaurant or place in the community?

My preference is The University Club of Washington, D.C., where I served on the Board of Governors.

What would you change about your community if you could?

Montgomery County, Maryland is the site of excellent government services. Since the time in 1975 when I was a charter member of the Montgomery County Taxpayer League, I favored and worked for "Good Government at Least Cost." I enjoyed seven years at the County Office of Inspector General. The citizens of this County need to pursue this efficiency goal as permanent business.

Who is a historical figure you would like to meet?

Mr. Warren Buffett

What community "hidden treasure" do you think more people should know about?

The potential leaders of America who as young people are being trained to become citizens of democracy and our future generational leaders. They deserve our support. We of the Olney Big Band also encourage the youth of our area to become jazz musicians.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I grew up as a victim of 1928 litigation concerning personal custody, but the Indiana Supreme Court ruled in my favor and encouraged the concept of equal justice under the law. This encouraged me to become a lawyer.

What are some of your personal goals?

At my age, I have achieved many of my goals. But, others remain. For example, I shall make every effort to retain my good health for another decade. I hope that my children will continue to thrive and enjoy their approaching senior citizen years. I shall maintain my interest in and support for my organizational ties, e.g., my Masonic affiliations, my church choir music, my international law fraternity progress, my University Club pleasures, and my happy connections with a lifetime of friendships.

Favorite movie or book?

Cowboy western movies. and intelligence publications accessible to me as a member of the Washington, D.C. Association for Intelligence Officers.

Describe how you would most enjoy spending a single day.

Visiting my favorite museums in the Washington, D.C. area.

Do you have a favorite quotation?

Long ago, I told my children to get a good education because this is something nobody can take away from them.

How did you get involved in the Olney Big Band?

My interest in its style of music originated as I grew up on an Indiana farm during the Big Band Era. In my junior high school year, I gave up basketball and instead took weekly trumpet lessons in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. At Ohio State, I played several years in its famous football band, the TBDBITL—The Best Damned Band In The Land. For two college summers, I led "The Ohio State Collegians", a five-piece jazz band, which entertained shipboard passengers on ocean trips to and from Europe. I also had the good fortune to play jazz in the "Preservation Hall" in New Orleans. I once carried Harry James’ trumpet case at a college jazz concert.

To be more serious, I lost my wife in a Delaware automobile accident in 2004. A good Masonic Brother came to my rescue and helped me enter the Olney Jazz Band. I’ve been there ever since.

What is special about the Band?

Of the 20 volunteer members, I am the oldest (a trumpeter), and Alexander Leishman is the youngest (a trombonist), as a junior in high school. Our specialty is playing the historic jazz and swing tunes of the 1930s and 1940s, for the memorable pleasure of senior citizen audiences who recall their earlier happy days of college proms feted by the jazz bands of the Big Band Era.

Our musical specialty has recently earned the Olney Big Band the first national award by the U.S. Big Band Hall of Fame, as the "Ambassadors of Big Band Music." They say "for perpetuating, promoting, and performing with integrity the sounds of the Big Band Era."

What was the origin of the Olney Big Band?

The Band was formed originally in September 2002 as an ensemble of the Olney Community Concert Band. It is a 20-piece orchestra , performing swing, dance and big band jazz of the first half of the 20th century. Its male and female vocalists entertain our audiences by singing the lyrics of the classic numbers in our repertoire. For dancers, the Band plays waltzes, jump tunes, fox trots and Latin numbers. The Band is regularly on call for public and private dances, retirement communities, public concerts, and civic and charitable events.

Who were its creators?

Its founder was Thomas Harwick, on bass guitar. Its President and Musical Director is Dr Rip G. Rice, on tenor saxophone. Its Business Manager, Secretary and Treasurer is David B. Schumer, on baritone saxophone. If you have questions about the Band, call Dr. Rice at (301) 774-9133.

Any favorite songs that the Band plays? Why?

Our music library contains more than 400 jazz and swing tunes. The famous ones still popular today include Benny Goodman’s "Sing, Sing, Sing", Glenn Miller’s "In the Mood", Tommy Dorsey’s "Getting Sentimental Over You", Count Basie’s "One O’Clock Jump", Artie Shaw’s "Begin the Begine", Stan Kenton’s "Eager Beaver", Larry Clinton’s "Deep Purple", Bunny Berigan’s "I Can’t Get Started", Les Brown’s "Sentimental Journey", etc., etc. etc.

The Band now has publicly available a "Generations" CD which excites its listeners with 20 famous jazz and swing tunes.

To obtain a CD, call David Schumer at 301-598-2107.

What is your favorite part of performing with the Band?

The Band produces a free quarterly newsletter, entitled "In the Mood," edited by Brad Bawek. I enjoy serving as a contributing editor. For listening pleasure, the beautiful harmonies renew my gratitude for just being in the Band. For playing pleasure, I most enjoy playing a trumpet solo in some swing tune made famous by Harry James, such as the "Two O’Clock Jump".