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We've Only Just Begun:
Carpenters Remembered
We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered is the definitive concert show celebrating the music of one of the most successful recording acts of all time. The Carpenters sold over a hundred million records in just over a decade and still hold the record for most consecutive top-ten singles.
Accomplished vocalist Michelle Berting Brett takes center stage accompanied by her Nashville band, directed by Harry Sharpe, for a behind-the-scenes portrait of the pop music phenomenon that defined an era. Sing along with hits that include Close to You, Yesterday Once More, Rainy Days & Mondays, and many more!
This performance was originally recorded live on August 31, 2019, at Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA.
photo by Alexandre Delauriers
LP and the Vinyl
Performance of the Month
LP and the Vinyl sends pop and R&B favorites through a kaleidoscope of jazz, providing the best of both worlds: familiar songs dear to the heart, freshly intensified with beautifully mastered improvisation. Vocalist Leonard Patton draws upon his rich background in jazz and gospel to energize the virtuosic interplay of pianist Danny Green, bassist Justin Grinnell, and drummer Julien Cantelm. From the lively dance-inducing numbers of Michael Jackson to the soulful hits by Stevie Wonder – no two performances are the same.
Patton’s most recent solo release, A Beautiful Day, included jazz heavyweights Antonio Sanchez, Lionel Loueke, Ben Williams, and Aaron Parks. His previous release, Expressions, is a collection of duos with Grammy-nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer. Green, Grinnell, and Cantelm have been playing together since 2010 as the Danny Green Trio. In that time, they have released four albums, all receiving high praise from the press, and international radio airplay. The trio and Patton joined forces in 2015 to form LP And The Vinyl.
This performance was originally recorded live on August 4, 2019, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
True Willie
and the Boys
Every summer, the Festival of Arts brings to the stage some of Southern California’s most well-known tribute bands. Talented performers pay homage to music legends as they re-create popular songs.
Musicians and fans agree – Willie Nelson is an iconic figure in American music history. Roger Hegyi as “True Willie” pays tribute to the life and music of one of the world’s most recognizable and distinctive musicians.
“Roger looks and sounds so much like The Man that fans and friends are convinced that he and Willie were twins separated at birth!” Not just a Willie Nelson “impersonator,” Roger has found a way to reach into the musical soul of Willie Nelson and share it with audiences wherever he performs. Chosen as the most authentic and convincing tribute act to Willie Nelson in America, the True Willie tribute band is fast becoming the first choice with audiences across America.
Roger Hegyi began singing in his church at 10 years old before being recognized as “one voice in a million” by professionals in the music industry. Roger has since amassed over 40 years of experience as a singer and guitarist, including several engagements in Southern California at the Anaheim Angels Stadium and the San Diego Padres Stadium, in theater groups and through thousands of performances in small clubs. The True Willie tribute band represents Roger’s lifelong dream to honor the music of Willie Nelson and the influence Willie has had not only on Country and Western music, but also on American music history.
This performance was originally recorded live on July 30, 2019, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
Brian Bromberg’s
Big Bombastic Band
Considered to be one of the world’s most ground-breaking and diverse bassists of our time, Brian Bromberg is pushing the barriers of the acoustic and electric bass to their limits. Commonly using as many as 10 or more basses on his recordings, using different tunings, string configurations, acoustic basses, electric basses, piccolo basses, etc., Bromberg has taken the bass and truly turned it into a vehicle for him to make music, write melodies, and be the lead melodic voice--as well as the rhythmic foundation--of the music. The bass has become an extension of the music inside him, and he has used all of these different basses to let that music sing.
In this presentation, Bromberg and his band perform songs from his most recent CD Thicker than Water, plus selections from earlier recordings including Earth, Wind, and Fire's September and Chicago's Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? His stellar rhythm section features Tom Zink (piano), Tony Moore (drums), and Ray Fuller (guitar).
This performance was originally recorded live on July 21, 2018, at Festival of Arts in
Laguna Beach, CA.
Tribute to Las Vegas Legends
Performance of the Month
Part of the special "LIVE from Las Vegas!" three-concert series, this event showcases fabulous tribute artists honoring Elvis, Reba, Celine and Jerry Lee Lewis in this Tribute to Las Vegas Legends hosted by Las Vegas premier emcee, Ron Smith.
This performance was originally recorded live on February 15, 2017, from Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV.
Shades of Sinatra
Relive the music of the legendary Frank Sinatra in this fantastic, award-winning tribute show. This performance is a one-of-a-kind musical production that celebrates the life and career of one of the most beloved musicians of all time.
Featuring over 30 of Sinatra’s greatest hits, Shades of Sinatra pays tribute to his signature classics as well as some of his lesser-known songs—appealing to devoted and casual fans alike. Additionally, the exceptionally talented cast exudes the character and appeal of the Sinatra-era, creating the vintage, off-the-cuff, Vegas show atmosphere that Sinatra was often acclaimed for. Enjoy this all-inclusive musical production that will leave you feeling like you spent an evening with the legend himself.
This uncut, unedited performance was originally recorded and broadcast live on October 22, 2015, from Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV.
Waltz The Night Away
This special performance from the Newport Music Festival includes beloved melodies from Strauss, Ravel, Brahms and more!
Waltz the Night Away features piano performances by Claire Huangci, Daniel del Pino, and Kevin Fitz-Gerald. Also joining in the event are Rupert Boyd (guitar), Goran Marcusson (flute) and Gregory Raden (clarinet).
This uncut, unedited performance was originally broadcast live on July 19, 2012, from the Newport Music Festival in Newport, RI.
Tierney Sutton Band
Performance of the Month
Nine-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton has received a “Best Jazz Vocal Album” Grammy nod for every project she has released in the last decade. Known for her impeccable voice and imaginative treatments of The Great American Songbook, Sutton is heralded for her abilities as both a jazz storyteller and her ability to use her voice as an instrument.
Spanning over 20 years of collaboration, the Tierney Sutton Band recordings have featured the same core group of consummate musicians who have gelled to a singular voice. They have consistently topped the US jazz charts, leading to Tierney’s selection as JazzWeek’s Vocalist of the Year as well as to numerous other accolades in the music world including seven Grammy nominations - one for the Band’s collaborative arranging. The musical luminaries in the band are pianist Christian Jacob, drummer Ray Brinker, and bassists Kevin Axt and Trey Henry.
Tierney taught for over a decade at USC’s Thornton School of Music and spent 6 years as the Vocal Department Head at The Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, CA. She has also taught and mentored some of the finest new generation of singers including Gretchen Parlato and Sara Gazarek.
This performance was originally recorded live on September 22, 2012, from the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA.
Chadwick Johnson
Sounds of Splendor
This special Cabaret Jazz performance features singer/songwriter and band leader Chadwick Johnson, known for his soulful sound and genuine style, fusing together elements of Pop, Soul, and Bluesy Jazz.
Chadwick Johnson approaches his songwriting as a storyteller, creating soul stirring compositions that unearth the complexities of the human experience. His ability to explore vulnerabilities and nuances in every song is paramount to his performances.
Chadwick has played for and worked with some of America’s most celebrated icons, including recording sessions with legendary producer, David Foster. In live performances, he has shared the stage with such music icons as Olivia Newton John, Katharine McPhee, and Susan Anton. Performing both nationally and internationally, Chadwick’s shows have been enjoyed at prominent venues including performances at Feinstien's at Vitellos, The Purple Room, and this same prestigious Smith Center where he recorded his 2018 live album Live In Las Vegas.
This uncut, unedited performance was originally broadcast live on November 24, 2014, from Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV.
Piano Extravaganza
Newport Music Festival
Pianistic Fireworks from two to eight hands - a fitting end to the Newport Music Festival!
This incredible closing concert features the Festival Family of Pianists: Bernadene Blaha, Michael Endres, Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Daniel del Pino, and Grigorios Zamparas performing multiple impressive works including Francis Poulenc's Sonata For Piano (four hands), Franz Schubert's Marche Militaire in D (four hands), Mozart's Overture from The Magic Flute (four hands), Johann Svendsen's Fest-Polonaise (six hands), Albert Lavignac's Galop-Marche (eight hands), and more.
This uncut, unedited performance was previously recorded on July 28, 2013, from The Breakers at the Newport Music Festival in Newport, RI.
Steve Tyrell
Performance of the Month
Grammy Award-winning producer and vocalist Steve Tyrell is the definition of a renaissance man. In his nearly five decades in the music business, he has achieved success as a singer, songwriter, producer, music supervisor, and radio host. His breakthrough performances in Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride II helped Tyrell reinvent and re-popularize classic pop standards for a modern-day audience.
As an artist, all nine of his American Standards albums have achieved Top 5 status on Billboard’s Jazz charts. His first album, A New Standard, was among the best-selling jazz albums for more than five years. The Sinatra family, together with Quincy Jones, handpicked Steve to be the featured performer with the orchestra at their season opening concert in which Frank Sinatra was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Also at the request of the Sinatra family, he reprised that performance at Carnegie Hall.
Tyrell’s work in the studio as a record producer has included collaborations with such diverse and legendary artists as Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Bonnie Raitt, Blood Sweat and Tears, Mary J Blige, Chris Botti, Dave Koz, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Burt Bacharach, Bette Midler, and Stevie Wonder, among many others.
This uncut, unedited performance was previously recorded on August 25, 2018, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
photo credit: Tina Tyrell
Carol Welsman
Six-time Juno Award nominee, internationally-acclaimed Canadian vocalist/pianist Carol Welsman's expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world.
Fluent in French, Italian and Spanish in addition to her native English, Carol blends languages (including Portuguese) and rhythms with a versatile repertoire including swing, samba, R&B, pop and jazz. She delivers a mix of The Great American Songbook classics and original compositions in a style that ranges from sensuous and warm to infectiously energetic.
Carol has toured the world performing from trio to big band to Pops symphony orchestra concerts, captivating audiences and receiving standing ovations. She has enjoyed much of her career success in Japan and Canada. A “Distinguished Alumnus” of Berklee College of Music, Welsman is also a prolific song-writer and her songs have been recorded by such artists as Celine Dion, Ray Charles and Chrissy Hinde.
Carol is joined in this performance by Ramon Stagnaro (guitar), Rene Camacho (bass), and Jimmy Branly (drums/percussion).
This performance was originally recorded on June 20, 2012, from Ming Dynasty Studio in Long Beach, CA.
Josie James featuring
Marlon Martinez
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Grammy-nominated singer Josie James is equally at home on the concert stage or in the recording studio with a track record that has been praised by many. She sings a wide variety of music influenced by R&B, gospel, pop and jazz. Jazz funk/fusion fans remember Josie James (“talk to me quick!”) as the lead vocalist of the original George Duke Band and sang on most of George’s albums including Duke’s last release Dreamweaver.
Josie’s recording and performance career was launched when she sang the lead vocal on "What’s The Story" from Patrice Rushen’s Before The Dawn. Her next big break came when Stevie Wonder asked her to sing on his classic album Songs In The Key Of Life. The second hit single from that album featured Josie on "Another Star". Stevie invited her again to sing on his Hotter Than July and Secret Life of Plants albums.
As one of the most sought after session vocalists in the business, Josie has been heard on many Top 10 albums and singles throughout her career. James appeared in the hit single "Easy Lover" video with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey, sang with Bailey on his multi-platinum Chinese Wall album, and toured Japan as his featured guest artist.
Josie’s own solo career commenced with her debut album Candles, which was released in the UK and has been considered a jazz/pop vocal classic. Once Josie’s voice came to the attention of the legendary hit songwriter Burt Bacharach, she began performing around the world with Bacharach as his featured vocalist. The Glastonbury Festival found Josie singing her memorable and popular version of the Bacharach/David classic "Anyone Who Had A Heart" performed in front of 200,000 people televised internationally and A Life In Song DVD for the BBC.
Hailing from Los Angeles, Marlon Martinez is a young virtuoso bassist and composer emerging at the center of the resurgent LA and New York jazz scenes. Discovered by Stanley Clarke, he has impressed legends such as George Duke, Burt Bacharach, Ellis Marsalis, Lenny White and Ron Carter. Classically trained and a graduate of the Colburn Conservatory of Music, Marlon has performed with Gustavo Dudamel, Valery Gergiev, the San Diego Symphony and more. He is a powerful performer and personality who captivates his audiences.
Marlon’s blazing big band, the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra (MJO), features some of LA’s finest young artists and soloists, and is a vehicle for his creative energy as a composer. His compositions are dynamic and soulful, with a fresh juxtaposition of tradition and originality – à la Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington.
This performance was originally recorded live on August 17, 2019, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
Subject to change without notice
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