14 Maple Ave., Suite 301
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 285-5115 phone. (973) 285-1199 fax
www.morrisarts.org
Press Release Date: August 30, 2011
Contact: Dr. Lynn L. Siebert
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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From Bluegrass to Bach: Morris County Park Commission and the Arts Council of the Morris Area present a musical feast at September Serenade
L-R: The Frank Vignola Duo: Vinny Raniolo and Frank Vignola; Members of Silk City: Larry Cohen, Danny Weiss, Mary Olive Smith and Kenny Kosek.
Where can you sample Brazilian music, Bluegrass, Bach, Caribbean music and Hot Jazz all in one place? The answer is the Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 E. Hanover Ave., Morristown) where September Serenade will hold sway on Sunday, September 18th, from 2-5pm. In a program presented jointly by the Morris County Park Commission and the Arts Council of the Morris Area, the Arboretum’s gorgeous gardens will play host to topflight performers such as Frank Vignola (with Vinny Raniolo), Silk City, The Conroy Warren Ensemble, Mauricio de Souza and his Bossa Brasil® and The Dolce Trio along with offerings of specialty wines and hors d’oeuvres tailored to the music in each garden area! Gardens, wine, food and music? Who could ask for more?
L-R: Conroy Warren; Members of The Dolce Trio: Liz Cabrera, Lynn Siebert, and Kris Lamb; Mauricio de Souza of Bossa Brasil®
Who’s performing? Here’s the lineup:
On the Great Lawn, come hear great tunes, hot picking, dynamic vocals and flashy fiddling in a mix of bluegrass and rockin' Honky Tonk, Roots Country and Western Swing provided by Silk City. This string band features Danny Weiss’ heartfelt guitar & vocals, Larry Cohen’s propulsive bass, award-winning vocalist Mary Olive Smith and the renowned bluegrass/acoustic fiddler, Kenny Kosek. Mary Olive is an original member of NY’s Alphabet City Opry and co-leads Reckon SO with Danny Weiss, fronts her own band (The Smokies), and performs/ records widely. Fiddler Kenny Kosek has played/recorded with Tony Trischka, soloed on hundreds of albums and worked with artists such as John Denver, James Taylor, Jerry Garcia, Loudon Wainwright III, Chaka Kahn, and Willie Nelson, among others. (He’s even been a guest in David Letterman’s Late Night Band).
In the Cottage Garden, prepare for the jaw-dropping virtuosity of jazz guitarist Frank Vignola accompanied by his outstanding rhythm guitarist Vinny Raniolo. Identified by Les Paul as one of the “Five most admired guitarists” in the world, Vignola has toured and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Lionel Hampton, Queen Latifah, Ringo Starr, Madonna, Mark O’Connor, Bucky Pizzarelli and Les Paul. The NY Times calls Vignola “One of the brightest of the young guitar stars.” In heavy demand internationally, Vignola handles a grueling touring scheduling, playing 250 shows in 11 countries last year alone. With 12 CDs to date, he devours, absorbs and perfects styles ranging from “gypsy” jazz (popularized by Django Reinhardt), Latin, the great American Songbook to hot jazz, swing, ‘60s folk/pop, rock and even classical composers such as Bach and Mozart. With a “monster” technique and remarkable musicianship, Vignola and his outstanding sideman, rhythm guitarist Vinny Raniolo, masterfully navigate through an enormous variety of jazz (and classical) styles, coupling technical wizardry with nuanced sensitivity…all with self-effacing, irresistible humor!
At the Sylvan Terrace, catch the irresistible beat of South America with Maurício de Souza and his Bossa Brasil®, which has been building a wide following in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area over the last seven years. With its unique, exciting, and sophisticated arrangements, the group (featuring alto sax, vibraphone, bass and drums) covers a wide array of Brazilian jazz standards. The music of Tom Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti, Milton Nascimento, Luiz Eça, and Paden Powell (among others) forms the foundation of the group's repertoire. De Souza's new album, Here.There... (released by Pulsa Music, Fall 2010) has constantly been featured on WBGO, was voted the #1 jazz album by WWPV FM (Burlington, VT), and was on Jazz Week for three weeks. The album has been reviewed by Jazz Times Magazine, All About Jazz NY, Jazz Inside Magazine, and All About Jazz (online), among others. Here. There... is in Pandora's music library and was voted #17 of the top 30 jazz albums by Music Choice (channel on cable TV). De Souza has also written a blog for Modern Drummer's website and was interviewed by Ken Bader (PRI, NPR, BBC) for his radio show, The World.
At the Scherer Garden Pavilion, get a taste of the Caribbean with the Conroy Warren Ensemble. Antiguan native and a graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Conroy Warren has performed internationally with some of the top names in Caribbean music. Described as being “at the height of his powers” by Musician’s Local 802’s January 2011 issue of ALLEGRO, Warren and colleague Richard Frank were recently featured in a sizeable article entitled “Music from the Heart,” which highlighted their unique and sensitive performances, especially when bringing music to the elderly in nursing homes. Conroy Warren’s skills have also been heard on the Morristown Green where, in summer of 2010, he and his colleague, steel pan performer Patrick Gomes, had the lunchtime crowd clapping, limbo-ing and even forming an impromptu conga line through the central square of the town! His music has all the languid grace of the Caribbean islands coupled with technical mastery and a keen interaction with his audiences that marks a seasoned and topflight pro. He has played with the Melvin Dean Ensemble, Coastal Zone and Rhythm Nation (among other groups), in addition to teaching and conducting music and cultural workshops throughout the tri-state area. Joining Conroy at September Serenade, will be Patrick Gomes, Trevor Bridgewater and Erald Benjimen.
At the Marsh Meadow Garden, mix it up with Mozart and The Dolce Trio. Formed in 1994, The Dolce Trio includes violinist Lynn Siebert, cellist Liz Cabrera and flutist/recorder player Kris Lamb. For September Serenade, they will also be joined (for the first half of the program) by colleague, violinist Nancie Lederer. Among them, they perform with a dizzying number of chamber ensembles, orchestras, choruses, and festivals, along with their work as teaching artists and freelancers. All have conservatory training, advanced degrees, with Cabrera and Lamb appearing as guest artists on a variety of folk and classical recordings, on radio and public television and Lederer performing in Europe, China, and the Caribbean as well as at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and other top venues. You may have also heard them in performance at the reopening of the Statue of Liberty’s crown, at First Night, 3rd Saturdays at Morris View, Midday Music on the Green and at a variety of other public and private events. With a classical repertoire ranging from medieval to contemporary periods (and additional offerings which include 18thc. Colonial and English country dances, Celtic music, Ragtime, “Parlor” music, klezmer and even American fiddle tunes), The Dolce Trio is widely admired for its polished, expressive, and richly varied performances.
Adding to the pleasures of the afternoon will be a delightful assortment of food (courtesy of Whole Foods, Madison) and wines (from The Wine Library, Springfield). The menu is tailored to the music and includes the following:
1. Classical Chamber Music in the Marsh Meadow garden- accompanied by imported cheeses and crackers with fig preserves & sparkling rose wine
2. Brazilian Music on Sylvan Terrace – accompanied by a variety of empanadas & sangria
3. Caribbean Music at the Scherer Garden Pavilion - accompanied by Jamaican jerk shrimp & mojito mocktails
4. Bluegrass on the Great Lawn – accompanied by BBQ pork ribs & Southern sweet tea
5. Gypsy/Hot Jazz in the Cottage Garden – accompanied by olive tapenade and goat cheese on crusty bread & Prosecco
In the event of rain, the music and food will move indoors to several locations at the Arboretum.
This unique event has a limited number of tickets available. Advance purchase is highly recommended. Tickets are only $35 per person (including music and all refreshments!) and are available for online purchase at www.ArboretumFriends.org, by calling (973) 326-7601 or at the Mennen Sports Arena box office. For more information visit www.morrisparks.net and www.morrisarts.org. See you in September!
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts has awarded the Arts Council of the Morris Area a “Citation of Excellence” and designated it as a “Major Service Organization” in recognition of its “solid history of service excellence, substantial activity and broad public service.”
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