Bandleader to Head Big Band Tribute to Cozy Morley at Middle PAC

COURT HOUSE — A bandleader who came to know Cozy Morley when she worked at his North Wildwood Club Avalon nightclub as a music librarian in the 1970s, will honor the late comedian- musician when she brings her swing band to the Performing Arts Center of Middle Township on Sun. afternoon, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m.
Denise Black, now an Egg Harbor Township resident, said the tribute, called “To Cozy With Love” by her Black Magic Swing Band, will feature big band music of the 1940s as well as recollections of Cozy and some of his jokes.
“Cozy brings back so many great memories of his times in South Jersey that I wanted to do something special musically in his honor, “ said Black. “So I came up with the idea to honor him at the PAC where his friends and fans could come and enjoy the music of his time.”
Black spent four years at the Club Avalon from 1975 to 1979 as the music librarian for the house band led by Howard Reynolds with whom a romance blossomed. They married in 2005 when Reynolds was 92 years old. The ceremony, performed by the then North Wildwood Mayor, Aldo Palombo, was held at Westy’s Irish Pub in North Wildwood with Morley as the best man. Reynolds was to die a year later.
“I learned so much from Cozy while I was at the Club Avalon and years afterward not only in the music world, but as a human being, “ Black said. ”Cozy was a very compassionate man, always concerned about people, and wanting to look after them. He was an incredible man.’’
Black, who became leader of her Black Magic Swing Band in 2002, said the program will include the Big Band hits of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, the Dorsey brothers and others from that era. She has some Big Band heritage. Her father was a copyist for the Benny Goodman band from 1936 to 1948.
Tickets are $25 and may be reserved by calling 609-463-1924. The Performing Arts Center is situated at 212 Bayberry Drive, Cape May Court House, one mile east of exit 10 of the Garden State Parkway. There is free parking on the premises.