Fresh Big-Band Sound : An orchestra featuring veteran Valley musicians will make its debut at the Moonlight Tango in Sherman Oaks. It plans to be ‘hot and never ponderous.’

In these recessionary times, the launching of a new orchestra seems like a hazardous venture. Nevertheless, Tuesday will mark the debut, at the Moonlight Tango in Sherman Oaks, of a triple-threat ensemble that prom ises to sound a fresh and exciting note in the uneven playing field of big-band music.

It will consist of Super Sax, the team that brings old Charlie Parker solos to life by harmonizing them for five saxophones; a 15-piece orchestra that will incorporate Super Sax; and L. A. Voices, a vocal quintet that has been an occasional Super Sax adjunct.

Though this is not the official name, the group might well be called the San Fernando Valley All Stars, since almost every member is a Valley resident. In fact, the tentative title is Valley Victorious.

“I think we’re all in this for kicks,” says Sue Raney of Sherman Oaks, who has a career of her own aside from L. A. Voices. “I’ve done plenty of profitable things--shows in Vegas, tours with Michel Legrand, lots of solo albums--but it’s a challenge for me to sing as part of a group.”

Melissa Mackay of Van Nuys agrees. Married to pianist David Mackay, she made her singing debut as Miss Vermont, performing duets with Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.” “I’ve made a steady living in studio work,” she says, “but working with L. A. Voices is strictly for pleasure.”

Med Flory, who founded Super Sax, organized the new ensemble and has written much of the music for it, says: “We want to have a show band, the best in town. We’ll be doing charts by men who are my idols--Johnny Mandel, Al Cohn, Bob Brookmeyer, as well as my own things, such as one based on Charlie Parker’s famous solo on ‘Lester Leaps In,’ the one they used in the movie ‘Bird.’ Our policy will be a mixture of great American classic pop songs and great jazz by men like Bird. This is a band people will just enjoy being around. We plan to be hot and never ponderous.”

Flory’s entire career has been a multimedia enterprise. Along with his countless gigs as sideman or leader with various bands, he became a successful actor in the 1960s, doing segments for “Maverick,” “Sunset Strip,” “Bronco” and “Dakotas.” At 6 feet 4 inches, the ruggedly handsome 66-year-old is also remembered as a football player in “The Nutty Professor” and the dumb cop in “Gumball Rally.” At present he is off the acting scene and concentrating on the new band, which he says represents a celebration of the 20th anniversary of Super Sax.

The sax quintet consists of Flory and Jay Migliori, both of North Hollywood, Lanny Morgan of Van Nuys, Ray Reed of Encino and Jack Nimitz of Studio City. The brass section is similarly Valley-oriented, comprising Rick Culver of Sherman Oaks and Randy Aildcroft of Agoura in the trombone section, along with Hollywood’s Charlie Loper.

The trumpeters are Chuck Findley of Westlake Village, Frank Szabo of Reseda, Dick Forrest of North Hollywood and Conte Candoli of Pacoima.

Candoli, a 20-year veteran of Doc Severinsen’s “Tonight Show” band, feels that the venue itself is vital: “There are so few places for big bands to play, and the Moonlight Tango is doing a great job, bringing in crowds to hear name bands every Tuesday. I’ve already worked there with Steve Allen, Bill Berry and the Juggernaut Band. The place has a great atmosphere--people really come there to enjoy the big-band sounds.”

Completing the orchestra will be pianist Lou Levy and drummer Frank Cap, both of Studio City, and bassist Jim Hughart of Granada Hills. “With a rhythm section like that,” says Flory, “we can’t miss. Frank will be having fun, not having to worry about business the way he does when he has his own band.” (Capp is leader of the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut.)

The male members of L. A. Voices are Gene Merlino, Don Shelton (best known for his long association with the Hi-Lo’s) and Flory.

What is the future for an aggregation that could involve heavy payroll, transportation and possible out-of-town travel expenses? Flory seems unconcerned. “We can play all kinds of dealers’ conventions for good money. Maybe we could do two or three weeks at Disneyland next summer. It should be possible to keep the whole thing going off and on without a lot of travel.”

The group already has a few predetermined credits, since essentially it is an extension of Super Sax and Voices. That combination earned a Grammy nomination in 1983 for its first album; two others were well-received, and all three have been issued in Europe as a triple package.

There are plans to have representatives of several record companies on hand Tuesday. Wary though the record business is of big-band recordings, there seems to be more demand than supply.

“Whatever happens or doesn’t happen,” says Flory, “we’re all sure of one thing. It’s gonna be fun.”

Where and When

What: Med Flory and Valley Victorious.

Location: The Moonlight Tango, 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

Hours: 8 and 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Price: $13 cover, $9.95 food or beverage minimum.

Call: (818) 788-2000.