 2009-2010
Schedule
Sept. 26 —Tribute
to Nat King Cole
Brochure
Straighten Up and Fly Right!
An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole!
This one-of-a-kind production explores the genius of this unique
entertainer and a hit-filled career spanning the decades from
1939 to 1962. This thoroughly researched production and its meticulous
arrangements accurately convey the sound and stylings of Nat
King Cole, his musicians, and his arrangers. But Straighten up
and Fly Right looks at more than music. In song and narration,
it captures a tumultuous and transformative period in America
and the career of a creative and influential musician who helped
shape, and was shaped by, the times.
The show stars award-winning vocalist Maurice Jacox, supported
by 5 talented instrumentalists, and a vocal duo, who assist as
narrators. The instrumental ensemble –guitar, bass guitar,
drums, saxophone and piano/electronic keyboard – recreate
the full spectrum of Cole’s group sound, from jazz trio
to big band, treating the audience to 19 beloved hits, from Route
66 and Ramblin’ Rose to Mona Lisa, Unforgettable, and many
more.
http://www.straighten-up-and-fly-right.com/
Oct. 17 —Chuck
Suchy
Chuck Suchy is the real thing--one of the foremost musical voices
of the American Great Plains. A working farmer, born and raised
and at home in the blue hills along the Missouri River south
of Mandan, North Dakota, Chuck Suchy has a love for making music
that goes back to his childhood. He creates with his music sensitive
and honest portrayals of contemporary American farm life, but
from an insider's point of view.
Chuck Suchy has continued to write, sing and record songs evoking
and extolling the Great Plains region and lifestyle. His themes
have expanded to include songs about human relationships, spirituality,
motorcycles, and even sailing. The Plains have seen a lot of
change over this time, including farm crises, loss of population,
and a major restructuring of the agricultural economy. Chuck
remains an astute observer of it all and his songs chronicle
not only the events, but also the emotions and feelings that
accompany such upheaval and change.
www.chucksuchy.com
Rich Warren, Midnight Special, WFMT Chicago:
“One of the great undiscovered treasures of contemporary
American folk music…a fresh divergence from the trend…”
Nov. 14—Todd
Green
Todd Green is a uniquely talented multi-instrumental solo artist
who performs nationally in the fine arts, college and club markets.
His original music is an eclectic blend of classical, jazz, new
age and world music. In addition to performing solo guitar pieces
in many different styles, he uses digital samplers to record
and overdub himself live on stage to, in effect, become a one-man-orchestra
of unique and exotic instruments from all over the world. As
Todd takes his audience on a fascinating tour of many countries
and their diverse styles of music, he intersperses his playing
with entertaining and informative explanations of the music and
the instruments.
www.toddgreen.com
This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund,
a program of Arts Midwest funded by the National Endowment for
the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art,
with additional contributions from Minnesota State Arts Board,
General Mills Foundation, and Land O’Lakes Foundation.
This activity is funded in part by a grant from the Lake Region
Arts Council through a Minnesota State Legislative appropriation.
Dec. 5 —Home
Free
Home Free, a cappella
Holiday Concert
The award winning a cappella sensation, Home Free, is a distinctive
combination of comedy and music featuring five male vocalists
with extensive theatrical and musical training. Each performance
showcases a new, animated, and electrifying experience that draws
audiences in, and leaves them amazed. With a genre of music that
covers an expansive mix of pop, jazz, classical and country,
all songs are done with only the human voice and microphones,
resulting in a truly unique and incredible sound.
Combining a perfect fusion of five-part harmony, jaw-dropping
vocal percussion, and their unique and spontaneous comedy and
energy, Home Free will leave you amazed. Don’t miss this
special holiday concert.
http://www.thehomefreegroup.com
Feb. 27—James
Wedgwood, Comic Ventriloquist
A James Wedgwood show is “as much fun as you can have
without moving your lips!” James uses both traditional
comic ventriloquism along with cutting edge props and skills
to create a unique show full of laughs and audience participation.
James’ show is a variety show in and of itself. He makes
virtually everything talk – from a variety of great characters
to purses, brooms, bottles, and audience members (yes, they open
their mouth and he puts in the words). Game shows, tap-dancing,
singing (without moving his lips!) and much more are all part
of the fun.
www.glberg.com/james_wedgwood
March 20—The
Sweet Colleens
The Sweet Colleens
The Sweet Colleens are Jeremy Greenhouse, Dave Willcock, Pete
Sandvik, Dave Bade, and Jeff Gram—five multi-instrumentalists
who together fuse their diverse musical backgrounds into a high-energy,
infectious, and crowd-pleasing mix of “Celtic folk-rock
and alt. county/Americana, with Cajun and Caribbean seasonings.” With
the sweet harmonies of singer/songwriters Greenhouse and Willcock,
and the band’s fiery arrangements of traditional melodies,
the Sweet Colleens are winning a loyal local followings and fans
across the Midwest and beyond. A perfect choice to celebrate
St. Patrick’s Day!
www.sweetcolleens.com
April 3 —Jim
Ouska and Jane Aleckson
Jim and Jane delight their audiences with original songs, harmony
vocals, thoughtful lyrics and strong instrumental playing on
guitar, electric and upright bass. Their concerts are a tour
de force through blues and swing, folk, funk and straight-ahead
jazz.
www.jimandjanemusic.com
“…Jane and Jim are now playing as a duo and it’s
funky and soulful and hip and bluesy and it works! Great original
songs. Tight harmony vocals. Hot guitar solos. Groovy tunes.
I love being in their audience as much as I love sitting in!”
Randy Sabien, Jazz Violinist
Northland News Reader Weekly – Duluth, MN
May 1 —Reeves
Cary and Paula Lammers
Reeves Cary and Paula Lammers – Side By Side
A Tribute to Great Singers Singing Together
Two talented vocalists have teamed up with a top-notch band
for a concert tribute to singing twosomes. Join Paula Lammers
and Reeves Cary as they take you on a journey through the Swing
era and beyond to bring you music of great singers like Ella & Louis,
Steve & Eydie, Ray Charles & Betty Carter, Frank Sinatra & Keely
Smith, and more. Along the way you will experience the excitement,
the chemistry, and the sheer enjoyment of an evening spent with
these two dynamic song stylists. The Great American Songbook
is the source of their material, and their smoothly blended harmonies
and playful humor will set your feet tapping and make your heart
warm!
http://www.girlnboysinger.com
iTunes: Many of our artists have
songs featured on iTunes. If you would like to hear a music sampling
of an upcoming performer, go to iTunes and enter their name. |
