"A
Tribute to Ella”
Music
of the Ella Fitzgerald songbook
Vocalist
Perley Rousseau and pianist Sonny Daye along with guest bassist
and drummer Ted Mac Kensie (co-author of the revised edition
of Buddy Rich’s Snare Drum Rudiments) present a concert
filled with warmth and humor highlighting the life and music
of Ella Fitzgerald from her Apollo Theatre debut at age 16 to
her retirement. Ella was the first recorded voice Perley heard
as a child and was greatly influenced by her music and has an
affinity for her style. Signature songs such as Tisket A
Tasket, How High The Moon, and The Lady Is
A Tramp are included along with memorable choices from
her Great American Songbook Series. Audience response to this
show has been tremendously enthusiastic!
"The
Great American Songbook"
Post
Golden Age --- Sonny & Perley go to the movies...
Much of the music written between the
1950s and 1970s is etched into our hearts and minds in a nostalgic
way. Baby boomers and their parents remember the theme songs
from many Hollywood films and Broadway Musicals that became
standards, such as Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Moon River,
The Sandpiper ~ The Shadow of Your Smile, The Sound
of Music ~ My Favorite Things, A Little Night Music
~ Send In The Clowns. Also included are significant
songs of the era considered as standards.
Voted Best Jazz Standards Duo by Metroland Magazine
“ ...Sonny & Perley know their way around what is
usually called “the Great American Songbook”...
when they perform the works of Porter, Ellington or Berlin,
they create something lovely to listen to.”
"Brazilian
Romance "
The Bossa Nova Phenomenon
The world discovered Bossa Nova in 1963 with the huge success
of master composer Antonio Carlos Jobim's Girl from Ipanema.
American Jazz and popular music were both inspired with this
"new wave." Albums were recorded by legendary
artists including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz
and Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66. To this day, Jobim's music
and the Bossa Nova continue as a major force and inspiration
for artists such as Diana Krall, Natalie Cole and countless
others. Sonny & Perley together with optional guest musicians
capture the essence of the sultry romance and mesmerizing rhythm
of Bossa Nova. Perley effectively draws the audience in with
fascinating narration and both English and Portuguese interpretations
of lyrics. Hugely entertaining, enthusiastically received, educational
and uplifting!
The Post Star review says
“To their Brazilian and American fans alike, Sonny &
Perley have a style that is as irresistible and authentic as
the Ipanema girl herself.”
"From
Paris to Rio"
Music of French origin
pre 1960 to Brasilian Music post 1960
This
concert transports the listener to France pre 1960 and to Brazil
post 1960 and highlights the music of Edith Piaf and other French
artists prior to the making of the film “Black Orpheus”,
and the Brasilian music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and other Brazilian
composers that was subsequently brought to the United States
in the 1960's after the making of the film. It includes musical
gems such as La Vie en Rose, C’est si Bon,
The Girl from Ipanema, Manha De Carnival (Black
Orpheus) and many others.
"I'll
Take Romance"
Songs of love, romance
and heartache
The most popular subject of all time!
Love, in all it's sometimes frustrating, mystifying, but always
enchanting variations, as seen through the eyes of world renowned
composers including Richard Rogers, Cole Porter, Edith Piaf,
Jacques Brel, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. This charming performance
features songs such as As Time Goes By, Isn't It
Romantic, La Vie En Rose, Desafinado, and a delightful
duet between Sonny & Perley!
Chronogram
Magazine says Sonny and Perley are "Harbingers of aesthetic
jazz and romanticism"
"Fascinatin
Rhythms"
The Music of George
and Ira Gershwin
This Live performance of concert vocalist
Perley Rousseau, pianist Sonny Daye along with a guest bassist
highlights the music of great American composers George and
Ira Gershwin. Audiences are enthralled by the stories behind
the songs and drawn in by Perley's sincere emotive deliverance
of the lyrics and Sonny's elegant reverence for the music. Selections
including: Fascinating Rhythm, I’ve Got a
Crush on You, They Can’t Take That Away from
Me, Our Love is Here to Stay, Summertime,
I Love You Porgy, etc.
"Peaceful
Inspirations"
Music of
Gentle Rhythms
Jazz for the quiet times. Swinging, swaying, peaceful jazz that
creates a soulful relaxing mood and a wonderful listening experience
for anyone. Sonny & Perley along with their musician friends
play soothing melodies that just melt the tension away. Instrumentation
including piano, world percussion, and woodwinds, coordinates
a balance that uplifts the spirit. Soothing bossa novas, timeless
ballads, and at times conveying without words, the pure sound
of color and light embodied in the human voice, bring a completely
satisfying and uplifting experience to all the senses.
"April
In Paris"
Springtime and Romance
Great American Songbook Standards and
French love songs performed with the heartbeat of aesthetic
Jazz. This concert is lovely with added upright bass, and really
swings with drums and woodwinds. The music of Cole Porter, Jerome
Kern, Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, and notable others are presented
with arrangements as refreshing as springtime itself. Premiered
at the world renown cabaret room "The Duplex" in NYC
resulting in a standing ovation and calls for encore! Includes
songs I Love Paris, Night and Day, All
The Things You Are, La Vie En Rose, Ne Me
Quitte Pas (If You Go Away), and a fabulous new arrangement
of April In Paris!
Chronogram
Magazine says Sonny and Perley are "Harbingers of aesthetic
jazz and romanticism"
"Love
In Any Language"
Amore, Amour, Amor...
Variety
is the spice of life! A delightful international performance of
songs in some of the worlds most beautiful romance languages.
French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Features timeless love
songs including Besame Mucho, Non Dementicar,
Corcovado, C'est Si Bon, all with English translations.
Sonny & Perley share their love of culture and language in
this beautifully expressed concert.
"In A Mellow Tone"
Music of Duke Ellington
They
call him "The King of Swing," "The Aristocrat of
Jazz." Edward Kennedy Ellington is a major figure in the
history of American Music. Sonny & Perley with guest bassist
and drummer delight in presenting some of Duke's most popular
and beloved music (and a couple of hidden gems)! Interesting and
little known facts about Duke's life are shared along with his
music, including A-Train, Satin Doll, I'm
Beginning To See The Light, and Sophisticated Lady.
As Duke always said, "It Don't Mean A Thing If
It Ain't Got That Swing!
"From Hammerstein to Sondheim"
This concert is the culmination of Sonny and Perley's thrilling experience of performing a prelude concert for legendary American composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Drawing from the rich repertoire of Steven Sondheim's mentor Oscar Hammerstein and carefully chosen Sondheim gems, this delightful repertoire of songs convey the wonderful sense of Broadway writing at it's best and are presented with arrangements as refreshing as Springtime.
As described by All About Jazz, “Sonny & Perley brightly meld lyricism, passion and rhythm in a way that is both rich and exotic...The nexus of art and emotion are joined in an exceptional way."
"Falling In Love With Richard Rodgers!"
Richard Rodgers's contributions to the musical theatre of his
day were extraordinary. His influence on theatre today and tomorrow
is legendary. His career spanned more than 6 decades, encompassing
more than 40 Broadway musicals, 900 published songs, Hollywood
and TV triumphs, and every award imaginable. My Favorite Things,
Manhattan, My Funny Valentine,
Isn't It Romantic, are a few of the songs Sonny & Perley highlight in this concert.
Julie Andews put it best: "All Rodgers's songs, with the
wonders of lyrics woven into them, around them, through them,
hit you somewhere in the solar plexus..."
The
Obamas gave the Queen a gift of an iPod and a rare songbook signed
by Richard Rodgers.
"Too
Marvelous For Words"
A
Tribute to Johnny Mercer
Johnny
Mercer began writing songs at the age of 15 and eventually became
one of the foremost figures of 20th century American popular music.
From the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s, many of the songs Mercer
wrote and performed were among the most popular hits of the time.
He wrote the lyrics to more than a thousand songs, including compositions
for movies and Broadway shows. Sonny & Perley highlight favorites
including Skylark, Accentuate The Positive,
Blues In The Night, and Moon River.
"Ella
Unplugged"
An intimate Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
Sonny & Perley present a duo version of "A Tribute to
Ella" ~ highlighting music from her Great American Songbook
recordings and a few choice selections from her later Pablo Records
duo recordings with Joe Pass. An intimate concert of vocals with
piano accompaniment, including anecdotes from Ella's Apollo Theatre
debut at age 16 to her retirement. Ella's was the first
recorded voice Perley heard as a child and remains a significant
influence on her music. Signature songs such as Tisket A Tasket
are included along with memorable choices from her Great American
Songbook series.
"She
Wrote the Song"
This
program highlights music written or co-written by women composers
who, in the early decades of popular song, had to struggle for
recognition and acceptance in their field. Among those being
celebrated are Dorothy Fields, one of the foremost lyricists of
popular song who co-wrote classics such as The way You Look
Tonight and I'm In The Mood For Love; Ann Ronnell
who penned Willow Weep For Me; Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf,
and other significant writers.
A powerpoint slide presentation accompanies this wonderfully engaging
concert.
"She
Wrote the Song II"
Sonny
and Perley joined by their daughter Rain on vocals and guitar
(along with guest musicians on bass & percussion) present
a delightful and eclectic concert of evocative songs written or
co-written by women composers from the 1930's to present day.
The audience will be treated to a great diversity of songs by
women artists ranging from Peggy Lee and Dorothy Fields, to Carol
King, Joni Mitchell, Ani DiFranco and others.
"Springtime
Sprinkled With Sondheim"
This concert is the culmination of Sonny and Perley's thrilling
experience of performing a prelude concert for legendary American
composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Drawing from their rich and
eclectic repertoire of Great American Songbook, International
Cabaret, and carefully chosen Sondheim gems, this delightful repertoire
of songs convey the wonderful sense of Spring and are presented
with arrangements as refreshing as springtime itself. As described
by All About Jazz, Sonny & Perley "brightly meld lyricism,
passion and rhythm in a way that is both rich and exotic...The
nexus of art and emotion are joined in an exceptional way."
"Remembering
Louis Armstrong"
Louis Armstrong defined what it was to play Jazz. His amazing
technical abilities, the joy and spontaneity, and inventive musical
mind still dominate jazz to this day. His music influenced not
only instrumentalists, but vocalists such as Billie Holiday and
Ella Fitzgerald. Sonny & Perley along with a band of swinging
musicians bring to life some of his iconic recordings including
Basin Street Blues, Dream A Little Dream, and
St. Louis Blues as well as favorites from his popular
recordings with Ella and many others.
“These
Are A Few Of Our Favorite Things”
Songs
in Broadway Musicals from the Golden Age of Popular Song
Sonny & Perley highlight some of their favorite Broadway songs.
These feature the works of composers such as George Gershwin,
Richard Rodgers and Cole Porter and songs from Broadway Musicals
such as Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Babes
In Arms, The Gay Divorcee, Can Can, Girl
Crazy, and Porgy & Bess. Sonny and Perley will
perform memorable hits such as Embraceable You, My
Funny Valentine, My Favorite Things, Fascinating
Rhythm, Night and Day and many others.
“Breezin
Along With The Blues ~ Everybody Loves The Blues”
Husband
and wife duo Sonny and Perley are well known for their playful
presentation of classics from the Great American Songbook, Bossa
Nova and International Cabaret traditions. In this concert they're
having a ball with the blues! Back in the 1940s the currents of
jazz and blues ran close together. This is the era they draw from
with their lighthearted, jazzy spin on the blues.
Sonny and Perley don't pine or bewail—they let loose with
rhythm and humor, singing and playing songs of the human experience
that get your feet tapping, fingers snapping, and put a smile
on your face. Joining Sonny on keyboards and vocals, Perley on
vocals and percussion, will be Jim Curtin on bass and vocals
“Anything
Goes”
A Tribute
to Cole Porter
Known
for his sophisticated wit and playful style, Cole Porter was unique
among the Great American composers. Born to wealth, his apprenticeship
took place not in Tin Pan Alley but in the playgrounds of Europe.
In his lyrics and melodies he fixed the smartness and cynicism,
the lack of inhibitions in speech and behavior, and the the outright
iconoclasm that characterized the 1920s. In their inimitable style,
Sonny & Perley present a unique selection of music from his
vast library of popular songs.
A video of this concert is near the top
of the page.
“The Great American Songbook, International Cabaret and Bossa Nova”
This is Sonny and Perley's mixed program that introduces the listener to the material that Sonny and Perley regularly draw from including Great American Songbook, ( The Golden Age of Popular Song 1920's through 1950's ) The Great American Songbook - Post Golden Age, ( well written lasting songs from 1960's through 1980's ) International Cabaret, and Bossa Nova.
( Music that originated in Brazil, France and or other Countries written by world acclaimed composers) Sonny and Perley interpret and perform the material in their own inimitable artistic style which incorporates elements of Education, History, Art, Culture, Audience Engagement, Intimacy, and Artistic Creativity. This program has a proven success record at all Libraries where it has been presented..
“Sinatra, the Great American Songbook and Jobim”
Sonny & Perley present select songs from Frank Sinatra's repertoire highlighting several of his recordings from the Great American Songbook and choice selections from his recordings with Antonio Carlos Jobim. An intimate concert of vocals with piano accompaniment performed in the inimitable Sonny and Perley style.
“The Great American Songbook - Music of the Great American Songwriters”
The Golden Age of Popular Song
This timeless music transcends generations and defines our musical heritage. Featuring vocalist Perley Rousseau, accompanied by pianist Sonny Daye, this concert highlights the music of great American composers such as Gershwin, Arlen, Mercer, Porter, Ellington, Rodgers and significant others. Includes entertaining stories about the music and composers.
Voted Best Jazz Standards Duo by Metroland Magazine
“ ...Sonny & Perley know their way around what is usually called “the Great American Songbook”... when they perform the works of Porter, Ellington or Berlin, they create something lovely to listen to.”
