The Jerry Ford Orchestra

In what is becoming a Capitol tradition, the Jerry Ford Orchestra will play at Missouri’s inaugural ball on Monday.

The Cape Girardeau band has played at the last three state balls — the galas sponsored in 2002 and 2006 by the Republican legislative leadership and Republican Gov. Matt Blunt’s inaugural ball in 2004.

This time incoming Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, extended the invitation.

“We’re an ecumenical orchestra,” quipped Ford, a former Democratic legislator-turned-lobbyist.

The ball will begin at 7 p.m. with the customary “grand march,” in which statewide officials, Supreme Court judges and legislators - usually accompanied by friends and family - are introduced as they walk down the Capitol staircase to the first-floor Rotunda.

Then Nixon and his wife, Georganne Wheeler Nixon, will lead the first dance to the strains of the Missouri Waltz. No word on whether the governor-elect has taken dancing lessons.

Ford, a trumpet player, said his 15-piece orchestra will play jazz, ballroom and big band music throughout the evening. The band will feature vocalist Pat Blackwell and blues and rock guitarist and singer Bruce Zimmerman.

In addition, “I’m bringing a surprise,” Ford said. The orchestra will be joined by two “world-class singers” from Cape Girardeau Central High School. Sophomore Brodrick Twiggs croons Frank Sinatra songs and junior Quitman McBride III belts out Stevie Wonder tunes.

“I’ve used both of these guys at concerts,” Ford said. “They absolutely tear the house down.”

Ford said the state balls usually last until 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m.

“The last couple times we played, when it was quitting time, they chanted not “Four more years” but “Four more songs.” The orchestra obliged.

For more information on the inaugural, see my story today on the mother ship.