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“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."
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