DAVID AMRAM: The First 80 Years takes place Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 7:30 pm at Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, NYC. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Clearwater, the organization founded by Pete Seeger, and the Woody Guthrie Foundation.
The concert will feature the New York premiere of Amram's "Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie," performed in memory of Odetta by the 60-piece Queens College Orchestra, conducted by Maurice Peress. The work will be introduced by Nora Guthrie, who commissioned it with support from the Guthrie Foundation, based on her father's song "This Land is Your Land." "En Memoria de Chano Pozo" for Latin/jazz group and symphony orchestra, conducted by Amram, will be performed in memory of Dizzy Gillespie with guest soloists Candido (congas) and Bobby Sanabria (timbales), with Amram himself on piano, penny whistles and percussion.
The evening will also mark the New York premiere of an excerpt from the new DVD of Amram's 1968 comic opera 12th Night with a libretto by the late Joe Papp, and will be introduced by Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer of the Lincoln Center Theater and former co-producer with Joe Papp of the New York Shakespeare Festival.
Selections from Amram's movie soundtracks, including Splendor in the Grass (1960), and the New York premiere of a selection from Amram's score for The Manchurian Candidate (1962) will be performed by the Brooklyn Conservatory Jazz Ensemble directed by Earl McIntyre. The Brooklyn Conservatory Jazz & Gospel Choirs directed by Renee Manning will also perform. Additional favorites of Amram's jazz, Latin, Middle-Eastern and world music compositions will be played in memory of Thelonious Monk.
The star-studded salute will also include introductions by Amram's friends from the world of theater, film and music, including actors Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey), John Ventimiglia (The Sopranos), Malachy McCourt and performers from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, as well as filmed 80th birthday wishes from Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Willie Nelson, members of the New York Philharmonic, and friends and colleagues from around the country.
Guest musicians will include John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), David Broza, Josh White Jr., Larry Kerwin (Black 47), The Imani Winds, the Amram Family Band and current members and alumni of Amram's quartets from the past 40 years as well as surprise guests. The concert will be filmed by Lawrence Kraman for his documentary film David Amram: The First 80 Years.
For tickets, click here. For more about David Amram, here.
For tickets, click here. For more about David Amram, here.