2012-2013 Concert Series
Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Songs and Sounds of the Swing Era
Jazz singer Linda Ipanema and her band, with feature guest baritone, Stan Edwards, will us on a sentimental journey in a tribute to the great songs, singers and bands of that great swing era.
Ipanema's spectacular performing background has included Broadway musicals, films, TV shows, cabarets and comedy clubs. Here she will concentrate on singing swing-time tunes with her current 6-piece band drawn from some of the best players of the New York City metropolitan area. Edwards joins his wife for this performance. He is especially known for his association with the legendary Village Gate in New York's Greenwich Village.
Rave reviews have followed this swinging ensemble thoughout the country as they bring the sounds of many performers from the Dorseys to Middletown's Tony Pastor and from Frank Sinatra to Rosemary Clooney. Live the excitement of that enchanting era!
Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.
Fireworks! - an instrumental ensemble
The flexible and high-energy ensemble Fireworks can literally play anything, regardless of category, vintage or orchestration. Each Fireworks' program spotlights a particular aspect of today's music and presents a wide variety of musical styles with a common voice. Fireworks tours through North America each year and has appeared on prestegious stages such as Carnegie Hall, The Library of Congress, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and The Chautauqua Institution, as well as radio's WNYC and television's NBC's "The 10 Show."
Fireworks American Music Program moves from the bluegrass fiddles of Appalachia to the earthly hallelujahs of the Sacred Harp, from Louisiana Zydeco to Chicago Blues, from composers Ives and Copland to rock and hip hop. This chamber ensemble of eight outstanding string, woodwind and keyboard musicians of Fireworks has electrified the entire music world!
Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.
The Morgans - St. Patrick's Day Irish Program
The Morgans return in response to its acclaimed 2009 Middletown appearance. This well-loved Irish group has an extensive repertoire of not only Irish music but also folk songs that include sea chantys and all things nautical.
Instrumentally The Morgans play a variety of traditional instruments from the wind, string, and percussion families. Their singing features rhythmic multi-part harmonies along with melodious solo ballads.
Member Tom Callinan is originally from Middletown. He was Connecticut's first "Official State Troubadour" and continues to delight his audiences as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Don sineti of Mystic Seaport fame, noted for his powerful voice, and three other talented members of the band bring The Morgans front and center in Middletown once again. Guest Irish step dancers will round out the program. March 10th will be an Irish celebration to remember!