Tones jazz up the golden years

The Golden Tone Orchestra has entertained Long Islanders for more than 40 years. While that may seem like a long time to some, that’s merely a footnote in the musical lives of its members.

The average age of the orchestra’s 21 musicians is 83, and members hail from across Long Island, including Bellmore and Merrick. Each has a story to tell. Herb Deutch, a composer who fills in on trumpet and keyboard from time to time, co-invented the Moog synthesizer with Bob Moog. Drummer Sam Levine was a Nassau County judge for half a century. And Ray Dean learned vocals from the same instructor who taught Frank Sinatra to sing.

While the music industry has changed over the years, the Golden Tones stick to what they know best — swing music. “We play from the swing years,” said band manager Sid Hausen of Merrick. “It’s big-band music, that’s what it amounts to.”

The orchestra recently performed a special pre-Valentine’s Day concert at the Freeport Recreational Center. The 50-plus people in attendance listened and danced as the orchestra played classics such as “Hello, Dolly,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and “I’ve Got the World on a String,” taking folks back to the time when swing music was in its heyday.

“It keeps me healthy,” said Leonard Miller, a trombonist from Bellmore. “I love music, and I play anywhere I can play. It’s a very enjoyable pastime for a senior citizen.”

The orchestra is a nonprofit group, and accepts donations to fund new sound systems. Its main sponsors are Astoria Federal Savings Bank and Bagel Boss in Merrick.

The mix of instruments include keyboard, guitar, bass, upright bass, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trombone, trumpet and drums. The group also features vocalists, including Lou Bubelsky and Barbara Hausen, Sid Hausen’s wife.

The Golden Tones rehearse weekly at the Nickerson Beach Club in Lido Beach and perform at various venues, including libraries in Merrick, Baldwin and Lynbrook and elementary schools in Bellmore and Westbury. “Our goal is to continue to bring big-band music to our neighbors,” Hausen said, “and in our small way give back to the community by inspiring young musicians to keep the music from the ’30s and ’40s alive, along with modern show tunes.”