Theme Concerts
Sonny and Perley
“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.
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!
“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.
“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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
