Coastal combo storms in to swing.

Byline: FRED CRAFTS The Register-Guard

THE FLORENCE combo Coastal Steamer will join the Eugene big band Swing Shift for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Hult Center's Soreng Theatre, Seventh and Willamette streets.

The event is a fund-raiser for Support Hultcenter Operations. Tickets are $15 and $17 through the Hult Center box office, 682-5000.

The concert will consist of two sets, one by Coastal Steamer and one by Swing Shift. Then the two groups will join forces for "Topsy."

"It won't really be a battle of the bands, if only because the two groups are of such different sizes," Swing Shift leader Jim Olsen said. "Maybe a better way to think of it would be as an established group introducing a new combo to Eugene."

Coastal Steamer is a sextet of players from around the state, lead by pianist Robin DeVour. Others are John Polese on trumpet and flugelhorn, Paul Biondi on reeds and flute, Bryce Peltier on trombone, John Polese on trumpet, Josh Britton on accoustic bass and Dave Burrow on drums.

Coastal Steamer's set will consist of Richard Rodgers' "The Sweetest Sound," Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is the Ocean," George Gershwin's "Love Walked In" and Thelonious Monk's "Bemsha Swing," plus other arrangements by DeVour, including two original compositions.

Swing Shift will play Quincy Jones' "Quintessence," Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's "My Funny Valentine" and Thad Jones' "Once Around," as well as arrangements by Bill Holman and Count Basie. Featured players will be trumpeter Tim Clarke, saxophonist Dave Cordon, trombonist Ray Becerra and drummer Jim Douglas.

Support Hultcenter Operations is the volunteer organization that staffs the Hult Center's information desk and gift shop, conducts backstage tours, presents weekly free SHOcase concerts, sponsors a student scholarship program and provides behind-the-scenes assistance such as usher support and poster distribution.

The combined Coastal Steamer/Swing Shift concert will be repeated at 7 p.m. March 8 at the Florence Events Center Theatre, 715 Quince St., Florence, as a benefit for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Lane County.

Tickets for the Florence concert are $10 and are available through the Florence center's box office, [phone].

SWING SHIFT WITH COASTAL STEAMER

WHAT: Benefit concert to aid Support Hultcenter Operations

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Hult Center's Soreng Theatre, Seventh and Willamette streets

TICKETS: $15 and $17 through the Hult Center box office, 682-5000

CAPTION(S):

The Eugene big band Swing Shift will perform a benefit show with Coastal Steamer on Saturday at the Hult Center. Set sail