The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and acclaimed producer Larry Rosen present a tribute to one of the greatest entertainers of our time — FRANK SINATRA in a concert entitled: JAZZ ROOTS: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series: A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA. Celebrating the legacy of this American cultural icon, the fifth concert in the JAZZ ROOTS series showcases two of the foremost interpreters of American popular songs: Sinatra protégé and master jazz guitarist/vocalist, John Pizzarelli, and one of the country’s hottest young Sinatra interpreters, Tony DeSare, Friday, March 19, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. Tickets range from $25 to $125 and may be purchased at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org.
Tony DeSare, hailed by critics as the modern day Frank Sinatra, replaces the previously announced Michael Feinstein. Mr. Feinstein is currently performing on Broadway in a new show with Dame Edna Everage. The Adrienne Arsht Center wishes Mr. Feinstein a successful run on Broadway, and looks forward to his Center debut next fall, further underscoring the Center’s mission to present the finest performers to South Florida audiences.
Mr. Feinstein will return to Miami on November 5, 2010 when he opens the JAZZ ROOTS 2010-2011 season at the Adrienne Arsht Center with “THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK,” celebrating the songs of our outstanding American songwriters: Berlin, Gershwin, Porter, and Kern.
Ticket holders may exchange their March 19 tickets for the performance on November 5, 2010. Deadline for ticket exchanges is March 10, 2010 by visiting the Arsht Center box office or calling (305) 949-6722.
“We are extremely proud to present these two special guest artists in an evening honoring the man who entertained America for five decades through song and film, and whose name is a byword for the classic American song,” said M. John Richard, President and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “We hope South Florida will help us fill the Knight Concert Hall with music that celebrates The Good Life.”
“Frank Sinatra’s rise to world-wide fame started in the 1930’s as the vocalist with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Alongside the Dorsey jazz band, Sinatra wowed audiences across America. Sinatra never forgot his jazz roots, and in the 1960’s created a series of landmark recordings with producer Quincy Jones and the great Count Basie Orchestra,” said JAZZ ROOTS producer Larry Rosen. “Our Jazz Roots: Tribute to Sinatra performance will celebrate jazz and pop vocal styles in Miami, and honor this phenomenal man and his musical legacy.”
The Sinatra program will recall the magic, romance and excitement of the music of Sinatra’s career through his most memorable songs, including the romantic ballads and swinging hits associated with “the Chairman of the Board.” Tony DeSare, who rose to fame playing Sinatra Off-Broadway lends a youthful bravado to the Rat Pack sound. Accompanied by the Henry Mancini Institute Big Band, John Pizzarelli will headline the show with chart-topping hits made famous by Sinatra such as “The Lady is a Tramp,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” and “Come Fly With Me.” One of today’s most celebrated performers, bringing popular standards to a new generation, John Pizzarelli opened for Frank Sinatra on one of his final tours in the 1990s.
Frank Sinatra forever changed both popular song and American pop culture. An artist who defined his generation, his songs and their influence on thousands of subsequent artists continue to resonate throughout American popular music.
Jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli has cultivated a multi-faceted career by singing classic standards, late-night ballads of the ‘40s and ‘50s, adding his personal swing style to contemporary material and playing inventive guitar that has won over new audiences. Using greats like Frank Sinatra and Nat “King” Cole and the songs of writers such as Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen as touchstones, Pizzarelli has found his niche as one of the prime revivalists of the popular American Songbook, bringing to his work the cool jazz flavor of brilliant guitar playing.
The son of swing guitar legend “Bucky” Pizzarelli, John began performing with his father at age 20, and made his recorded debut with his 1983 release, I’m Hip — Please Don’t Tell My Father. Since 1992, the John Pizzarelli Trio has toured throughout Europe and the United States to rave reviews. In 1993, the group toured as the opening act for Frank Sinatra and joined the Carnegie Hall celebration for Sinatra’s 80th birthday celebration in 1995. Among his numerous recordings, Mr. Pizzarelli has created an entire studio album dedicated to Sinatra, Dear Mr. Sinatra, which was released by the Telarc label in 2006. He has also been a special guest on recordings for such luminaries as George Shearing, Rosemary Clooney, and Buddy DeFranco, as well as joint recordings with his father. In addition to being a performer and bandleader, Pizzarelli has established himself as the consummate entertainer and radio program host with the launch of “Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli,” a nationally syndicated weekly radio program co-hosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey. Recently, John Pizzarelli was rated third favorite male singer (only after Sinatra and Mel Torme) by readers of the Japanese Swing Journal.
Singer, pianist, and composer Tony DeSare has gained an international fan base with his infectious joy, wry playfulness, and robust musicality. His sound is romantic, swinging, and sensual, but what sets DeSare apart is his ability to write original material that sounds fresh and at the same time blends seamlessly with the Great American Songbook. Originally from Glens Falls, New York, Tony DeSare made his professional debut at age 17. He moved to New York in 1999, where he was instantly cast as the star of the long running Off-Broadway musical smash, Our Sinatra. In 2002, DeSare performed at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York, and met jazz guitar icon, Bucky Pizzarelli. Since then, DeSare and Pizzarelli have developed a meaningful artistic collaboration, performing together around the country. A versatile performer, DeSare has headlined major jazz venues such as Birdland and the Blue Note; posh nightclubs including Café Carlyle and Feinstein’s at The Regency; and big band concert halls like Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has three CDs to his credit: Want You (2005); Last First Kiss (2007); and Radio Show (2009) which features an original song from the forthcoming 20th Century Fox film, The Tooth Fairy. DeSare has garnered critical acclaim throughout the United States, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong, and was recently named a “Rising Star” by Downbeat Critics Poll.
JAZZ ROOTS also features an in-depth educational partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools which will bring more than 900 music students to the Center for a unique behind-the-scenes experience, including a pre-concert sound check and a Q&A session with featured artists followed by a workshop with a local jazz expert that will highlight the music, the artistic process and the practical skills needed for a career in the arts. In addition, the Center has developed a curriculum which will be distributed to 800 music, English and social studies teachers throughout the MDCPS school system, potentially serving 24,000 children.
The JAZZ ROOTS series is presented in partnership with Bank of America. WPBT Channel 2, WDNA 88.9 FM Serious Jazz, WLRN 91.3 FM, Capsule Media and Daniel Azoulay Gallery have generously agreed to be media sponsors of JAZZ ROOTS.
Tickets: $25 to $125
For tickets, visit www.arshtcenter.org or call the box office at (305) 949-6722
Prices, artists, dates, times, and program are subject to change without notice.
Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information for details and schedules. See highlights and video for the JAZZ ROOTS series at www.jazzroots.net.
JAZZ ROOTS series subscriptions, which include tickets to all six performances, are also available with seating priority given to renewed subscriptions and Adrienne Arsht Center members.