LETTIN' LOOSE-Left, Jackie and Bucky Lang swing like mad during big band night at Paul's Italian Villa. Above, Lance Rickman lays down a sweet tenor sax line as dinner ends and the dancing begins at Paul's. The popular show takes place on the first and third Friday of every month. To the smooth notes of a saxophone solo, couples float across the dance floor. The vibrant sound of the Late Nite Big Band fills the room as the 18-piece orchestra swells to a crescendo.

As they lose themselves in the music, the dancers are transported back to the Swing Era of the 1940s and '50s, when big bands, bold dance moves and brass instruments ruled the day.

Fortunately, Simi Valley residents don't need a time machine to hear a jazzy, live rendition of "Sunny Side of the Street."

On the first and third Friday of every month, Paul's Italian Villa on Cochran Street hosts big band night, a celebration of food, dance and that one-of-a-kind sound.

The restaurant's owner, Paul Molé, acts as band leader of the Late Nite Big Band. A gifted trumpeter and saxophonist, Molé said his boyhood love of music motivated him to create the band four years ago.

"Music's always been one of the loves of my life, so when I took over the banquet room I had room for a big band," Molé said.

The blend of good food and good music was a natural for Molé. His patrons seem to like the combination too, as big band night has grown in popularity.

"It seems to be catching on. People enjoy it, and we're starting to get the young crowd," Molé said. "The young kids are starting swing clubs. It's fun watching them dance. They have a lot of energy."

Last Friday's event featured the stylish vocals of Jim Stephens of Simi Valley and Nancy Osborne. Stephens was a lead vocalist with popular '50s rock band the Surfaris.

His smooth crooning of "Luck Be a Lady Tonight" was reminiscent of Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin.

Among the younger visitors to Paul's was Moorpark High School student Kate Sweitzer.

For her 16th birthday she asked her parents to invite her friends from a ballroom dancing class she takes at Moorpark College to a big band night with a famous rock 'n' roll band from the '50s.

"Dancing swing is a lot of fun, and we go out on the weekends dancing," Kate said. "It's better music than what we have today, that's for sure."

The middle-aged crowd was also well-represented on big band night.

Simi Valley residents Nettie Notagiacomo and Christine

Barnden take a lindy hop swing class at the Simi Valley Senior Center. The friends have been coming to Molé's dance party for more than a year.

"I love the late night boys, the food and the dancing," Barnden said.

But at Paul's, you don't have to tear up the dance floor to enjoy the entertainment. Some people just like to sit and listen, like Simi Valley resident Don Vanlandingham, 75. Vanlandingham said he came to hear the band after attending their performance at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center in September.

Molé has assembled a band of professionals, some fulltime musicians, some with day jobs. Jack Cox is the band's manager and sometimes joins in playing drums.

"This is the renaissance of big band music right here in Simi Valley," Cox said.

Veteran trombonist Dave Wells lends his talents to the band. Wells has played with some of the biggest names in music, like Harry James, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich.

During their careers, the musicians played everything from R&B to pop music. However, the sounds of a bygone era hold a special place for Lance Rickman. The band's saxophone player, recently returned from gigs on "The Tonight Show" and "Good Morning America," likes the hometown feeling.

"Swing and jazz are the underpinning of R&B and of pop music," Rickman said. "So this is the beginning of what you hear now. I just love going back to the roots."

For more information on the Late Nite Big Band or to learn more about Paul's big band night, call (805) 526-5360 or visit www.latenitebigband.com.