Area swing band to perform at Jefferson City ball

A local swing band, the Jerry Ford Orchestra, will perform Tuesday in Jefferson City during Missouri's inaugural ball welcoming in new members of the state's House of Representatives and Senate.

The 11-member orchestra will play during the grand march and provide background and dancing music throughout the evening.

"This shows we have talent in Cape Girardeau too. It's a great showcase for the city," said band director Jerry Ford. "It's a really big deal for us."

Ford said several thousand people attend the ball every year.

"It's an honor, but it's also unique because of the Cape connection in both the House and Senate," Ford said, referring to Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder and Rep. Jason Crowell, the House majority floor leader, both of Cape Girardeau.

"It's going to be quite a Cape Girardeau evening in the Capitol," Ford said.

For the big event, the 11-member orchestra is expanding its talents to include trumpet player Bob Bartler, guitarist/vocalist Bruce Zimmerman and drummer Keller Ford.

"We'll play more rock and roll than normal because of younger elected officials. There will be a lot more variety than normal," Ford said.

Ford will also perform at the govenor's annual prayer breakfast Wednesday morning, playing a song titled "Heavenbound," which he and Dr. Richard Moore of Cape Girardeau composed.

The Jerry Ford Orchestra has represented Missouri in an official capacity in the past, performing in 1998 and 1999 at the Southern Legislative conferences.