Russ, I see where you're coming from on this about 'kinda' pulling it off with an arranger, and I'd love to have the luxury of playing it with real people, many here would. After all, there ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby.

But, as it is in your case, or anyone else's for that matter, it's all about giving the customers what they want and, and to summarise what others have said, it's a fair chance that a fair percentage of a senior audience will enjoy one or two familiar big band standards mixed in with everything else.

As always, send 'em home happy. My 2c.