Allow us to introduce you to….
Crystal Raymond
Instrument: Tenor/Alto/Soprano Sax with a little Clarinet on the side
Year Joined the Band: 1991 with a break from late 1998-2003 (the 435 mile 1 way commute was a little hard to make)
Favorite Esquires Tune: Sing Sing Sing, In the Mood, Moonlight Cocktails
Musical Influences: too many to count…!
Studying / Profession: Coordinator-Online Products/New Business for EBSCO Information Services-Los Angeles office
Hobbies: Gardening, Bowling, Baking, Arts and Crafts, and raising my daughter
A Little Something About You: I started my musical experience by learning piano, then moved to Accordian when Accordian playing was the thing to do. I started playing the sax in 4th grade and the rest is history. In college I loved a challenge so I learned to play Clarinet in 1 month’s time to help out my old High School as they toured Ontario Canada, then I learned to play Tuba on a dare.
Best Part of Being an Esquire: I enjoy teaching and sharing the music of this Great Era (Swing, that is) I love watching the dancers on the floor as they dance to the the music. The energy is incredible, with the band feeding off the dancers and the dancers off the band. It is such a rush. I also love to see the faces of those that are hearing the music for the first or maybe even the last time. You can see how the music sweeps them away.