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Thüringer SalonquintettThursday, October 20, 2005With a repertoire ranging from the virtually forgotten vestiges of 18th Century European music to the chic 20th Century sounds of legendary American composers, the Thüringer Salonquintett represents one of the most long-lasting and successful combinations of instruments to evolve from the coffeehouse (or "Kaffeehaus") tradition. Comprised of two violins (one doubling on viola), cello, double bass and piano, this group is committed to the very spirit of the Kaffeehaus movement of the late 1800's — to create a light-hearted, inviting atmosphere by unabashedly integrating elements from different cultures. Since the beginnings of the group in 1974, Thüringer has expanded its original audience base in central Europe and has taken the United States and Canada by storm, playing on consistently sold-out tours. Recently, they played to adoring audiences across China on their first Asian tour. The Thüringer Salonquintett has four CDs to their credit, and their recording philosophy mirrors that of their performance — to offer the audience an absolutely pleasurable listening experience. Group's website: SalonQuintet.com |
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Franc D'Ambrosio's BroadwaySaturday, November 12, 2005Franc D'Ambrosio starred in the San Francisco Production and in the Broadway National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera for six years. He was given the title of the "World's Longest Running Phantom." He can be recognized as Al Pacino's opera singing son, Anthony Corleone, in Godfather III. Franc's recording credits include the soundtrack of Godfather III, Christmas Center Stage, for which he received a Grammy for "Best Male Vocalist in the Classical Category," Dream and Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway. His theatre credits include the 1989 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, Kismet, and She Loves Me. He was picked by Barry Manilow to be the lead in Manilow's Copacabana and received the National Touring Theater Award nomination for "Best Male Lead Performer in a Musical" for his performance. He has also performed as a guest in numerous TV shows. Artist's website: FrancDAmbrosio.com |
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Country ToniteMonday, January 23, 2006Dazzling, spectacular and emotional only partly describe this exciting country music spectacle. Hear the country hits of yesterday and today, dynamically performed by the country stars of tomorrow. Beginning in Las Vegas and continuing in Branson, Missouri, this production, direct from the state-of-the-art Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, won the CMAI "Best Live Country Show in America" award for four consecutive years from 2001 through 2004. This company of twenty-one entertainers includes comedy, some of the best singers of country music you'll hear anywhere and features the talents of an incredible virtuosi country band. It even showcases an eight-member dance troupe, performing energetic, choreographed country dance, including intricate two-stepping and clogging. If you enjoy authentic country music, this is one show you don't want to miss. Country Tonite offers more than just a comprehensive collection of country songs — it creates the very essence of that which is the heartland of America. Group's Theater website: CountryToniteTheater.com |
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John O'ConorThursday, February 16, 2006John O'Conor known as "the smiling Irishman" and "endearing pianist to all audiences" has garnered international praise for his impeccable technique, eloquent phrasing and mystery of keyboard color. Through his recitals, concert appearances and critically acclaimed recordings, Dr. O'Conor has earned a reputation as a masterful interpreter of the Classic and early-Romantic piano repertoires. He has performed throughout Europe, North America and Asia and has appeared with such distinguished orchestras as the Royal Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra and San Francisco Symphony. He is equally celebrated for his recordings. His disks of Beethoven's complete sonatas and Bagatelles have become legendary and his recordings of the piano concertos, sonatas and nocturnes of the 19th century Irish composer John Field have remained at the top of Billboards classical chart for weeks. His newest release My Ireland is a disk of arrangements of the timeless folk songs he grew up with in his native Dublin. John
O'Conor bio on Wikipedia: Wikipedia.org |
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The St. Petersburg Classic BalletSunday, March 5, 2006Formed in early 1996, The Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet is fast becoming one of the most respected dance ensembles in the art world. Artistic Director, Marina Medvertskaya, is a disciple of the legendary Vakhtang Chaboukiani and Prima Ballerina of the Tbilisi State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Under her leadership, the ensemble is flourishing. She has attracted the finest dancers from such mature companies as The Kirov Ballet, The Maly Ballet and The St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre of Askold Markov. Since winning the Gold Medal in the Amber Necklace International Ballet Competition in Kaliningrad, they have embarked on several successful tours across Russia, the former Soviet states, Europe, Scandinavia and currently the United States. This is a truly versatile group of dancers who are technically and expressively sound. "Its soloists are of a standard comparable to the Kirov!" |
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Les Brown OrchestraRevised Date!
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The Jim Cullum Jazz BandMonday, April 24, 2006Fans of pre-WW II jazz music and Public Radio International are undoubtedly sure to be fans of The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, if they are not already! This well-established, celebrated seven-piece group has broadcast their acclaimed radio show Riverwalk, Live From the Landing from San Antonio, Texas since 1988 , and is dedicated to preserving and extending the great voices of classic early jazz: King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Bob Crosby Bobcats, Fats Waller, Eddie Condon and many more. Their radio show, hosted by Grammy-winning storyteller David Holt, has welcomed a spectacular array of guests through the years, including Harry "Sweets" Edison, Lionel Hampton, Dick Hyman, and Benny Carter, to name a few. The band has more than forty stellar recordings to its credit and continues to enjoy touring the country, always winning new fans while exuberantly exemplifying how understanding pre-war jazz enriches the appreciation of later jazz forms. Group's Home Venue website: Landing.com |
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The CoatsSaturday, May 6, 2006Few a cappella vocal ensembles — in fact, virtually none — have as many celebrities as fans. Why do The Coats? Because, after years of performing and/or recording for such big shows as NBC's hit comedy Frasier and The Jenny Jones Show, with such household names as The Beach Boys, Jay Leno and Hall & Oates, and for such prestigious people as the President and Vice-President of the United States, people everywhere (as one fan put it) "… just can't believe what they do with their voices." They have won the National Harmony Sweepstakes, have been nominated for an INDIE award and have been recognized as the most requested college act in the U.S. For a group that began in Seattle, Washington, with only trench coats to keep them warm and dry (hence, the group's name), The Coats have become one of the most recognized and requested ensembles in the a cappella vocal world. If you haven't heard them, you don't want to miss this enthralling vocal experience! Group's website: TheCoats.net |
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