CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - A band central to Carmichael Community life for more than 40 years will stage a final performance on July 16. Part of the summer concert series, the John Skinner Band show will farewell a Sacramento tradition.

The band’s leader, trumpeter John Skinner, died unexpectedly in 2017. “Since then, we kept things going with another leader,” explains Skinner’s widow, singer Susan Skinner. “But the pandemic cancelled every job possibility for more than two years. We’re satisfied to make July 16 our last hurrah. It’ll be a happy celebration. I believe John would applaud going out with a big bang.”

Over the decades, Skinner ensembles ranged from big band groups to seven-piece combos. With a playlist that included swing, Latin and rock ‘n roll classics, dancing was a huge part of the Skinner tradition. “The July 16 agenda is to fill the park dance floor,” says Susan Skinner. “We’ll plan to accommodate everyone.”

Hundreds of Sacramento musicians cut pro-teeth on Skinner gigs. The band will reach out to alumni to come with horns on the 16th. “In the final number, we’ll invite all Skinner alumni on stage,” says Susan Skinner. “It’ll be a finale no one will forget.

“My husband’s favorite gigs were weeks-long engagements at the State Fair. And he loved Friday at Town and Country Village. Those nights had most of Sacramento dancing in the parking lot. California Governor Pete Wilson hired us for most State shindigs. His wife Gayle sometimes sat in with the band and she sang great. John was a Vietnam veteran and he loved playing patriotic dates, like our July 4 concerts.

“We’ve performed in airport hangars, casinos, museums and railway yards. When Sacramento Tower Bridge was illuminated around 1990, we were hired to do ‘You Light Up My Life.’ We played countless weddings and family celebrations. John had fond memories of contracting bands for Bob Hope, Anne Murray, Natalie Cole and Luciano Pavarotti. But we loved public concerts best.

“The band was a staple for summer in Carmichael. John marked our 40th season at the park with a $400 dollar donation to the Park District. He played his last solo there at our 2017 concert, just days before he died. On July 16, our eight-piece band will include me and John’s daughter, Kathryn. We Band members will represent around 200 years of Skinner Band history. John’s guys were dear friends. We hope to see lots of them among our July 16 audience.”

Skinner Band Concert downbeat is 6:30 PM. For more information, call 916 481-0334 or visit John Skinner Band on Facebook.