Pardon
My English -November 29 , 2009
a
brief description
"True music must repeat
the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are
Americans and my time is today."
- George Gershwin
 Harry Clark created a new portrait for the
2006-2007 season,
about the relationship between the brothers Gershwin, from the perspective of his beloved Ira.
George Gershwin (1898-1937) is the most famous American composer. WithIra at his side, the two revolutionized popular music and
created masterpieces that defy the easy popular/classical
paradigm. This portrait tells of the brothers' extraordinary rise
and success in the first decades of the 20th century and provides an
intimate glimpse into their personal and professional relationship.
The orchestral version of this portrait received its world
premier in 2007 by Orchestra
New England and Maestro James Sinclair, who commissioned the work.
The show will be repeated in January 2010 in Alamos (Mexico), and the Chandler
Center for the Performing Arts.
About the music
The music is exclusively by George Gershwin for piano solo and piano and voice.
Performers
Chamber  Music PLUS is thrilled to welcome back Robert Picardo. He originated the
role of Ira Gershwyn in the orchestral version @ Battel Chappel in New
Haven Connecticut, in the world premiere performence with Orchestra New
England.
Yale alumnus, Robert Picardo made his off-Broadway debut in David
Mamet's one-act play Sexual Perversity in Chicago. That was in 1975;
two years later, Picardo was first seen on Broadway in Gemini. He
launched his TV career in the 1980 miniseries The Dream Merchants, and
in 1981 made his first film, The Howling--one of several assignments
for director Joe Dante. During his early TV years, he was all too often
cast in "first husband" or "wrong boyfriend" supporting roles.
Things improved in 1986, when he was hired to play the much-feared high
school gym teacher Coach Cutlip in the weekly dramedy The Wonder Years.
He went on to co-star as Dr. Dick Richard in the highly acclaimed
Vietnam-era series China Beach (1989-91).
A busy voice over artist, Picardo has supplied a variety of vocal
characterizations for such series as Dinosaurs and Batman. Undoubtedly
you'll be reading even more about Robert Picardo in the future, by
virtue of his being cast as the holographic Doc Zimmerman on TV's Star
Trek: Voyager. Hal
Erickson, All Movie Guide.
JoIning Robert Picardo
are pianist Jeff Haskell and vocalist Katherine Byrnes  Haskell's professional credentials are as varied
and vast as his musical talent.
He began his jazz career as a scat-singing boy soprano in Philadelphia.
At age 12, he sang and played saxophone professionally, adding the
organ a year later. Soon thereafter, Haskell immersed himself in jazz
studies with pianist Ray Smythe and organist Jackie Davis, and at age
16, was jamming with saxophonist Lew Tabackin.
The first winner of the first American Collegiate jazz festival
(Villanova), Haskell soon went on to play in Europe with flute great
Jeremy Steig and trumpet legend Chet Baker.
Haskell has won three Los Angeles Emmy Awards for his work on the much
celebrated children's TV program, "Dusty's Treehouse", and critics
praised his theme and underscore for the "IT Show" for ABC, for which
he received a Los Angeles Emmy nomination. Some of his recent Hollywood
music include arrangements on two Linda Ronstadt albums, cues for
"Dudley Do-Right" and "Fight Club". Locally, you can hear his work
every half-hour in the 4-note station ID for KUAT-TV.
"Pastiche Americana", a composition written for chorus and orchestra,
was performed by The Little Orchestra in Lincoln Center. His "Concerto
for Jazz Band and Orchestra" debuted with the Tucson Symphony
Orchestra. And he conducted the world premiere of Billy Taylor's suite
for jazz trio and big band, "Fiesta In Tucson".
He may be the only person ever hired by the Tucson Symphony in the
roles of pianist/conductor, arrang er/orchestrator, and vocalist (tenor).
Katherine Byrnes
George is
returning to the University of Arizona to finish her degree in Vocal
Performance with an emphasis in Jazz Studies. During her time off
school, Katherine lived in and performed around New York City as a jazz
singer. While performing in NYC, Katherine got the opportunity to
work with many amazing artists including Bob Kindred, Anne Phillips,
John Hart, Mickey Leonard, and more. No less incredible are the
local musicians who she is blessed to be singing with again including
Jeff Haskell, Martin Patfield, Tom Ervin, Scott Black, and many others.
Reminiscent of the big band singers of the thirties, Katherine brings
an enthusiasm and style to jazz all her own.
Performance details:
Show time: Sunday, November 29, 2009 @ 3 p.m.
Pre concert chat: 2:30 p.m.
Venue: The Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 West Speedway Blvd.
Directions- Click
here for directions to the hall.
Individual Tickets -$35, Students and children under 12- $15,
Additional Subscriber Tickets -$24
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Chamber Music PLUS SW appreciates
your consideration for support. Tickets and grants cover 80% of our
budget.
Your support is much appreciated. Thank You
You are
listening
to William Bolcom, performing "I Got Rhythm"
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