TucsonStage Blog: Ballet Tucson Premiere - I’ll See You in My Dreams (with live music by The Great Banjo Summit)

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

Ballet Tucson Premiere - I’ll See You in My Dreams (with live music by The Great Banjo Summit)

From: Ballet Tucson
Sent: Tuesday, October 2, 2018 6:00 AM
Subject: Ballet Tucson Premiere - I'll See You in My Dreams (with live music by The Great Banjo Summit)

Ballet Tucson

OPENING NIGHT GALA & FALL CONCERT 2018

I'll See You in My Dreams (premiere)
Choreography: Mark Schneider
Music: performed by The Great Banjo Summit

I'll See You in My Dreams is a company premiere and tribute in dance celebrating the great American Songbook of the 1920's & 1930's. Long-time Ballet Tucson associate Mark Schneider creates a fresh new work complete with bright costumes and exuberant choreography. Live music will make popular songs such as "Four Leaf Clover" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street" come to life in an updated and effervescent style. Virtuoso banjo players Rob Wright and Tyler Jackson and world-class guitarist Howard Alden will bring the house down with this rousing finale piece!

The Great Banjo Summit – Musicians:
Rob Wright has been performing professionally for 40 years. He began playing the banjo at 10 years old and later moved on to ukulele and guitar. Rob was a member of The New Christy Minstrels from 1979 to 1981 and has performed in all 50 United States as well as Canada and Mexico. In addition to performing with the Wildcat Jazz Band, Rob has been a frequent headliner at banjo festivals across America as well as making several guest artist appearances with symphony orchestras. Rob is a founding member of The Great Banjo Summit and Other Things with Strings with Howard Alden and Tyler Jackson.

Howard Alden began playing at age ten, inspired by recordings of Armstrong, Basie and Goodman, as well as those by guitarists Barney Kessel, Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt and George Van Eps. Soon he was working professionally around Los Angeles playing in groups ranging from traditional to mainstream to modern jazz. In 1979, Alden went east, for a summer in Atlantic City with Red Norvo, and continued to perform with him frequently for several years.

Upon moving to New York City in 1982, Alden's skills, both as soloist and accompanist, were quickly recognized and sought-out for appearances and recordings with such artists as Joe Bushkin, Ruby Braff, Joe Williams, Warren Vaché and Woody Herman. He has continued to win accolades from critics and musicians alike, adding Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Mel Powell, Bud Freeman, Kenny Davern, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, and George Van Eps, as well as notable contemporaries such as Scott Hamilton and Ken Peplowski to his list of impressive credits.

Mr. Alden has been a Concord Jazz recording artist since the late '80s where his prolific recorded output as leader, co-leader, and versatile sideman, has captured an artist of consistently astonishing virtuosity and originality. One of the many highlights in Howard Alden's fruitful association with Concord Jazz came in 1991 when, at the urging of Concord President, Carl Jefferson, Alden recorded with one of his all-time heroes, seven-string guitar master George Van Eps on the album Thirteen Strings. He was voted "Best Emerging Talent-Guitar" in the first annual JazzTimes critics' poll, 1990, and "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" in the 1996, 1992, 1993 and 1995 Downbeat critics' poll. In February of 2009, Howard was recognized as a "Modern Maestro", one of DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE'S 75 Great Guitarists of all time - "An original virtuoso"

Tyler Jackson is a world renown tenor banjoist and upright bassist. Under the tutelage of Buddy Griffin, he quickly learned the ukulele, tenor banjo, and electric bass. Tyler went on to study the double bass at the University of North Texas under Lynn Seaton. With the help of Seaton, he began to fine-tune his skills as a professional bassist. It was during this period that he was asked to work for Ray Price and the Cherokee Cowboys.

Touring with Price took him all over the world and allowed him to play countless venues across North America including the Grand Ole Opry, Massy Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Gruene Hall, as well as the Stagecoach Festival, Austin City Limits Live and more. In 2007-09, Ray Price teamed up with Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard to form the highly successful "Last of the Breed" tour. Tyler can be seen on A&E's "Last of the Breed" DVD and heard on the live CD as well. Besides his tenure with the late Ray Price, he has worked with many well-known artists spanning several genres including Earl Klugh, John McEuen, Randy Travis, Jim Cullum, and Dale Watson. Currently residing in Boerne, TX, Tyler continues to tour, record and teach private lessons.

Spirit Garden
Concept and Choreography: Chieko Imada, Mary Beth Cabana
Music: Calexico

Ballet Tucson revives its highly acclaimed Spirit Garden – a unique commemoration of the tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Renowned local artist Lawrence W. Lee, the music of Tucson's own internationally troubadours Calexico, and the company's artistic team collaborate on this ballet celebrating life and honoring those who have departed, reminding us that life and death coexist.

Boler-O
Choreography: Daniel Precup
Music: Maurice Ravel

Ballet Master Daniel Precup's Boler-O has become a company signature piece and audience favorite since its debut in 2012. Set to Maurice Ravel's riveting score, the ballet captures the pulsing energy and dynamic power of this iconic musical masterpiece.