Q&A on the News

Q: I recently attended the “In the Mood” concert at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and I was surprised by the instrumentation of the band. The band had a full complement of brass – three trumpets and three trombones – but only four saxophones – two altos, one tenor and one baritone. The big bands that I’m used to have two tenors to make a section of five saxophones. Can you explain the missing saxophone? —Chuck Ellet, Marietta

A: The primary reason is an economic one, Bud Forrest, producer of “In the Mood,” told Q&A on the News in an email.

It’s expensive to keep a big band, plus the singers and dancers, on the road with costs such as hotels, food, insurance and compensation, he wrote.

“There is no doubt that I would prefer to have five saxophones, but (we) had to make some economic choices that allow us to continue touring,” Forrest wrote.

Q: In a recent AJC story, Bishop Stephen A. Davis became senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, replacing Bishop Eddie Long. Can you tell me the religious education he has and how he and Long attained the formal title of bishop? — Terry H. Kingery, Marietta

A: Davis earned a master’s and Ph.D. in theology through the New Birth Bible Institute, according to his bio on NewBirthBirmingham.org. In 2015, Davis was ordained by Long as a bishop in the Global Apostolic Council, a Georgia nonprofit corporation with Long serving as the CEO, according to the Georgia Corporations Division. The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship consecrated Long, who died Jan. 15, as its third presiding bishop.