Golden Tones jazz up the Island

Nassau County’s favorite big-band orchestra recently put on a special performance at the Freeport Recreation Center.

The Golden Tone Orchestra has been entertaining Long Island for more than 40 years. The band plays classic swing music, incorporating instruments like the keyboard, guitar, bass, upright bass, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trombone, trumpet and drums.

The average age of the Golden Tones’ members is greater than 80, and they come from across Nassau, including Merrick, Bellmore, Oceanside, West Hempstead and Long Beach. The band’s manager, Sid Hausen, lives in Merrick, and his wife, Barbara, is a vocalist for the orchestra.

Many members of the band have accomplished great things. Herb Deutch, a composer, co-invented the Moog synthesizer. Drummer Sam Levine was a Nassau County judge for 50 years. Ray Dean, of West Hempstead, and bandleader Julius Rubenstein, are World War II veterans.

The group entertained more than 50 people at the recreation center, giving them the opportunity to relive the golden age of big-band music.