Popular figures in Northern Californian dance culture, Carmichael Bandleader John Skinner and his wife Susan made recordings with their Skinner Band in the 1990s. Skinner’s widow reunites seven alumni musicians for Mother’s Day performances on May 10. Photo courtesy of John Skinner Archives

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – Carmichael singer Susan Skinner has assembled alumni musicians of the John Skinner Band to celebrate Mother’s Day, May 10.

The seven-piece ensemble will recreate Skinner’s 1997 dance CD at Twin Lotus Thai jazz restaurant, Sacramento.

“Mom’s Day is a great theme for the occasion,” said the bandleader’s widow, Susan Skinner. “John absolutely adored his mother. She showed up proudly whenever the band played.”

Widowed schoolteacher Pat Skinner raised her trumpeter son in Orland, California. The child prodigy turned professional and began to lead bands from the age of 15. His military — then commercial — pilot career did not limit Skinner’s musicianship.

“After his Air Force service, John was able to schedule his civilian flying around band gigs,” recalled his wife.

Skinner’s ‘Complete Ballroom Dance’ was recorded at Paradise Studios, Sacramento, in 1997.

“The idea was to give dancers a variety of tempos, all on one CD,” said Susan Skinner. “John and I danced, so we knew how couples hated to leave the floor to change recordings. We thought carefully about song lengths and the order of tempos — so dancers would not exhaust themselves. Our album was became a hit all over the USA and sold out several reprints”

For the Mother’s Day recreation, Susan Skinner found three veteran band members (including herself) who were on the original recording.

“Sadly, others had died or moved away” she said. “But everyone in our alumni septet has played with the band. We’re excited to honor John this way. We’ll also have Paradise Studio co-owner Craig Long in the audience, plus dozens of fans who danced to Skinner music over the years. Sadly, there’s no dance floor at the venue. But toe-tapping is definitely encouraged.”

Mothers in attendance will be honored with a free copy of the CD.

“I’ve still got some left,” said Skinner. “I know John would love to see them shared with moms on this special day.”

May 10 performances of the Skinner Alumni Band are at 5 and 7 p.m. Reservations are required. Visit www.twonlotusthai.com to reserve. Twin Lotus Thai is located at 8345 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento.