Whitman alumni Ranger Sciacca ’09 is returning to campus with his band Ranger and the Re-Arrangers to play at the WEB sponsored Coffeehouse on Friday, Oct. 22. at 9 p.m. Coffeehouse, a popular event held multiple times throughout the year, allows bands and other artists, such as slam poets, to perform for students. This upcoming Coffeehouse, however, will draw a slightly different crowd, as it will also serve as one of the many entertainment options for Whitman parents to take advantage of during Parent’s Weekend.
The Re-Arrangers consists of Ranger Sciacca on violin, Michael Sciacca (his father) on rhythm guitar, Dave Stewart on mandolin, Todd Houghton on bass and Jeffrey Moose on percussion. The men play “gypsy jazz,” a genre of music that offers a new take on American jazz.
“We play gypsy jazz and that’s like what happened when gypsies in Europe heard American jazz on records and in some touring concerts in the 1930s, and they started to play themselves,” said Sciacca. “But they didn’t pick up instruments and play exactly like the Americans, they used guitars and violins instead.”
This is not the first time Ranger and the Re-Arrangers have made the journey from their hometown of Bainbridge Island to Walla Walla in order to play a show. They have played for Whitman students three times since their formation four years ago.
“It’s always just a really great show,” said Sciacca. “The audience at Whitman is really appreciative. It’s a cool place to play. The sound guys always do a really great job and the atmosphere is great in Reid.”
Junior Carissa Wagner, Whitman Events Board’s music entertainment director, shared in the enthusiasm for the mutually beneficial relationship between WEB and Ranger and The Re-Arrangers.
“I saw them last year, and they play a great set,” said Wagner. “It’s hard to find bands that work in the sound and space of the coffee house and are still up beat.”
Whitman seniors Monica Finney and Molly Knell will join the band on stage as guest vocalists, each singing three solos and one duet with the band.
“They are both going to sing three songs each with us, and one song they are getting together to perform a duet type of arrangement,” said Sciacca. “That’s been another fun thing about coming back, we’ve always had some musical special guest.”
After performing for Whitman students, the band will entertain Walla Walla residents with a live show at Vintage Cellars at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 23, located at 10 N. 2nd Avenue. This performance will be more routine, as their typical audience usually consists of older adults, rather than college students, suggesting the band’s ability to appeal to various generations with their music.
