JIM FREDA

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Jim is awesome .....

RAINER REY

MALE VOCALIST

Since the formation of the Forever Young Big Band in 2017, Rainer Rey has served as its male lead vocalist, bringing decades of performance experience, musical artistry, and classic showmanship to every performance. Rainer’s career in marketing took an unexpected turn when a song he wrote for a vocal group became a number-one hit in the Pacific Northwest. That breakthrough launched a dynamic career in music, where he continued writing and performing as a solo artist, releasing multiple national recordings with ABC Paramount and MetroMedia Records in New York. Several of his releases were recognized as hits by Record World and Variety.

Rainer later led The Summer Winds, an ensemble praised by Billboard Magazine as “one of the top ten lounge acts” in Las Vegas. The group headlined premier venues including Caesar’s Palace, The Sahara Hotel, and The Aladdin Hotel, and shared the stage with legendary performers such as Duke Ellington, Don Rickles, and Frank Sinatra Jr. Their success included national television appearances and international concert tours.

LORI BANGO

FEMALE VOCALIST

Lori Bango has been a featured female lead vocalist with the Forever Young Big Band for the past two years, bringing warmth, versatility, and expressive artistry to the band’s signature sound. Her lifelong passion for music began at a young age through musical theater and choir and continued with instrumental training on clarinet throughout middle and high school. Over the years, she has performed with live bands across multiple genres, developing a confident and engaging stage presence.

For more than a decade, Lori served as a worship leader and music director for several churches, a role that helped shape her musical leadership and vocal artistry. She continues to sing in church today and, earlier in her career, taught voice lessons to children for many years, led children’s music programs, and mentored young performers. This work reflects both a deep love of music and a lasting commitment to inspiring others through it.

For the past ten years, Lori has performed patriotic music at numerous civic and political events, including the National Anthem and other traditional patriotic selections. She has also led music at national Christian conferences alongside her son and has performed before audiences of thousands. Music has always been central to her life, and her family has shared the joy of making music together for more than fifteen years.