Since 2003, under the guidance of founder and Artistic Director Steven Marking, the local non-profit performing arts group “You Gotta Hear This!” has been merrily making its way through the Great American Songbook. The March 27 concert “Disney & the Duke” will be Marking’s final local performance before he returns to his hometown of La Crosse, WI, to pursue other professional opportunities. And what better way to celebrate a fond farewell than with one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century?
Duke Ellington’s music was a reflection of his personality – charming, complex, elegant, sophisticated and yet amazingly accessible to all music lovers. Classically trained baritone Steven Marking’s unique ability to interpret popular music and make it his own will be a perfect match with the Ellington repertoire.
The Duke truly is the father of mainstream jazz yet he resisted the term jazz and preferred to call it American Music. His longtime collaborator, co-composer and arranger, Billy Strayhorn described their sound as “beyond category” – a liberating principle which allowed them to delve into all sorts of musical traditions, transcending them and creating a truly unique American sound.
Ellington’s many compositions were almost all written for his famous orchestra; so, in some ways, he is not an obvious choice for “You Gotta Hear This!” which highlights solo singers. When the Duke used vocalists at all, they were just one member of a team of gifted musicians, each selected for their expressive individuality. His instrumentalists were routinely featured as soloists and were encouraged to improvise or even write entire numbers that were then added to the ever-growing Ellington repertoire. But Ellington tunes are irresistible, and some of the best vocalists of the era – Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme and countless others, have put their own twist on the Ellington sound.
For the March 27 performance, YGHT! is thrilled to have a band whose members have been playing together for years and who understand that to give Ellington his due, you don’t just play the notes on the page, you gotta feel the swing. David Banulis on guitar, Arthur Amuso on double bass, Glen Hueckel playing sax, flute and clarinet, with Jeff McRae on drums, are all up to the task. Joining Marking and the band on the program are vocalists Leonard Cave, Melissa Dawes, Andrew Harvey, Liz Hill and Ingrid Schaaphok.
In keeping with the organization’s mission of nurturing young talent, the evening will begin with soloists Sarah Burdge, Tyler Brewer, Natalie Giordano, David Hojnowski, Emma Kerr, Danielle St. Hilaire, Tiffany St. Hilaire, Katie Schultz, Sarah Sigot, Savannah Stevens and Abigail Tague performing a charming set of songs from the Walt Disney Studio, accompanied by local favorite, Dottie Cross on piano.
Don’t miss Steven Marking in his Farewell Performance. “Disney & the Duke” begins at 7 pm on Saturday, March 27, at the Blake Hall Theatre, located on the campus of the Hoosac School on Pine Valley Road in Hoosick. The suggested donation is $15, $10 for seniors, none for children. Refreshments will be available. Call 518-686-0972 for more information.