Category Archives: Music

Happy Birthday Maestro Mann!

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philipmannToday is the birthday of Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Music Director/Conductor Philip Mann!

Hailed by the BBC as a “talent to watch out for, who conveys a mature command of his forces,” he has led the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra as Music Director since 2010.  In his tenure the ASO has seen audience and artistic growth, new energy, and financial health under his tenure.

As winner of the Vienna Philharmonic’s Karajan Fellowship at the Salzburg Festival, Mann has relationships with orchestras and operas worldwide: including the Cleveland Orchestra, l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Georgian State Opera, and the National Symphony of Cyprus. His recent Beethoven 9 was described as “Titanic” and his Canadian debut with the OSQ was dubbed by Le Soleil as a “Tour de Force” and led to an immediate reengagement in 2013. Mann has worked with leading artists such as Joshua Bell, Sharon Isbin, Dmitri Alexeev, Midori, and Marvin Hamlisch and has given premiers of major composers including John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Michael Torke, Lucas Richman, and many others. He maintains a lively schedule as a guest conductor having conducted at New York’s Avery Fischer Hall and London’s Barbican Center.

Elected a Rhodes Scholar, Mann studied and taught at Oxford, and has served as assistant conductor to Franz Welser-Möst, Simon Rattle, Leonard Slatkin, Jaime Laredo, Mario Venzago, Bramwell Tovey, Pinchas Zukerman, and many others. At Oxford, he won the annual competition to become principal conductor of the Oxford University Philharmonia. Under his leadership, the Philharmonia’s performances and tours received international press and acclaim.

His complete bio of impressive accomplishments can be read here.

Special Veterans Day concert at the River Market by Central High School Band and Flagline

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centralentranceIn honor of veterans and those currently serving, the Little Rock Central High School Band and Flagline members will host a free, special concert this Veterans Day, November 11, 2015. The performance will take place at 11 a.m. in the east pavilion of the River Market. The first 100 veterans who attend will receive a commemorative token from Central’s band.

Known for their innovative technique and marching style, Central’s band has been invited to perform across the country, most notably during the last inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama. They were also featured at the finishing line of this year’s local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Now, they’ve been extended an invitation to participate in a Pearl Harbor Memorial Concert in Hawaii on November 23, 2016. The concert honors military heroes, survivors and veterans of Pearl Harbor. Next year marks Pearl Harbor’s 75th anniversary.

With financial support, the students will be able to experience a “once in a lifetime” opportunity in Hawaii. If you would like to help support the band’s efforts, you may make a tax deductible donation to LRCH’s Band Program, 1500 S. Park Street, Little Rock, AR 72202; or online at http://tinyurl.com/pu8q8lj (a small fee is applied to online donations). You will also be able to make donations during the November 11, 2015 performance at the River Market.

Central’s band will also host a Battle of the Bands fundraiser at Quigley Stadium at noon on November 15, 2015, featuring the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Musical Marching Machine of the Mid-South, along with invited bands from the Memphis and Dallas areas. Tickets are $10

Ludwig & Levis, or Beethoven & Blue Jeans at the Arkansas Symphony this weekend

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ASO B&BThe annual audience favorite Beethoven & Blue Jeans concerts are this weekend with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra!

On the program for this year’s edition are Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93; Scott McAllister’s Black Dog; and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a.

Under the direction of music director/conductor Philip Mann, the ASO will feature soloist Kelly Johnson.  She is principal clarinetist with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Associate Professor of Clarinet at the University of Central Arkansas. Johnson has a CD, entitled Child’s Play: Stories, Songs, and Dances.

The concert times are 7:30pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. They will take place at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center.

Again this year, the ASO is teaming up with the Arkansas Foodbank.  Attendees can support the Arkansas Foodbank during the much needed holiday season by dropping off a frozen turkey or other bird  before either concert and as a thank you, turkey donors will receive a pair of free tickets to any future concert from the ASO’s 2015-2016 Season.

 

As part of Oxford American Jazz Series, Aaron Diehl headlines at South on Main tonight

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som diehlJazz returns to Main Street tonight at 8:00 PM!  The Oxford American magazine welcomes Aaron Diehl to Little Rock as the second show in its 2015 – 2016 Jazz Series!

Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time. This series is made possible by presenting sponsor, the UCA College of Fine Arts & Communication. Additional partners include The Summer Foundation, Arkansas Arts Council, Capital Hotel, Piano Kraft, Rosen Music Company, and FM-89.1 KUAR.

Tickets are $20 (General Admission), $30 (Reserved), and $32 (Premium Reserved).

In an era revolving around celebrity hype and mediocre entertainment, Columbus, Ohio native Aaron Diehl seeks to stand out as an artist in his generation that exemplifies excellence, sophistication, and a fluency in the American musical vernacular. The 2011 Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianists Association, Diehl has been hailed by the New York Times as “a smart young pianist with a fastidious grasp of Jazz traditions.” He is committed to unearthing the treasures of a musical aesthetic through collaborative efforts with musicians across generations.

Born in 1985, Diehl grew up in a nurturing musical environment with his grandfather, Arthur Baskerville, who often played piano at local establishments in Columbus and sang in the church choir. Aaron began studying classically at age seven, and he discovered his passion for jazz music when attending the Interlochen Summer Camp. There he met piano prodigy Eldar Djangirov, who made a lasting impression on Diehl through his enthusiasm for Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum.

Diehl is the Artistic Director of the Catskill Jazz Factory, an organization dedicated to enhancing community development by means of America’s original art form.

Support Arkansas Foodbank and get tickets from Arkansas Symphony

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Turkey Drive ASO AFBThe Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is holding their popular “Beethoven and Blue Jeans” concert on November 7th and 8th at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center.

Attendees can support the Arkansas Foodbank during the much needed holiday season by dropping off a frozen turkey or other bird  before either concert and as a thank you, turkey donors will receive a pair of free tickets to any future concert from the ASO’s 2015-2016 Season.

The times for the concert are Saturday, November 7, at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 8, at 3pm.  A frozen turkey will help provide a healthy holiday meal to the ONE in FIVE Arkansans struggling with hunger and more importantly help bring families together during this time of year.

Tickets for the “Beethoven & Blue Jeans” concert are available online at www.ArkansasSymphony.org and via phone at 501-666-1761 or at the door. Tickets start at $19.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 50th season in 2015-2016, under the leadership of Music Director Philip Mann. ASO is the resident orchestra of Robinson Center Music Hall, and performs more than sixty concerts each year for more than 165,000 people through its Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks Series, ACXIOM Pops LIVE! Series, River Rhapsodies Chamber Music Series, and numerous concerts performed around the state of Arkansas, in addition to serving central Arkansas through numerous community outreach programs and bringing live symphonic music education to over 26,000 school children and over 200 schools.

The Arkansas Foodbank, the largest food bank in Arkansas, is a member of Feeding America and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. Its warehouse in Little Rock and Warren serve approximately 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, colleges, and other agencies that provide aid directly to hungry Arkansans. Last year, the Foodbank distributed more than 22 million pounds of food to agencies that help feed the hungry. For more information on how you can fight hunger, visit the Foodbank website at www.arkansasfoodbank.org

The Oxford American Local Live tonight at South on Main celebrates Tulsa Music Showcase with Horton Records

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llsom hortonTonight at 7:30 PM join the Oxford American magazine for this week’s Local Live concert at South on Main. On tap for November 4 is a special Tulsa Music Showcase with Horton Records! As always, Local Live is free and open to the public. To guarantee a table/seat for this popular series, call ahead at (501) 244-9660.

This showcase is presented by Horton Records, a non-profit 501c-3 organization based in Tulsa, Oklahoma that is dedicated to the cultivation and development of Tulsa area artists and building on the area’s great tradition, while fostering and strengthening community through musical endeavors. Featuring:

Paul BenjamanPAUL BENJAMAN – Paul Benjaman builds his style from Tulsa Sound hero J.J. Cale and expands the form to include most genres of American music. Signature guitar licks are at the forefront of his groove-based songs, playing a wide vocabulary that also scored him a spot as touring sideman for The Secret Sisters and an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Stellar musicianship and mature song craft makes for a red-hot live show that fits equally well on a large festival stage or smoky dive bar.

Jacob TovarJACOB TOVAR – Jacob Tovar, leader of The Saddle Tramps, is a man from a different era, a different time. With a gentleman’s handshake, booming voice, contagious smile, and quick wit, this performer effortlessly connects with all walks of life through his sincere songs of country, western, and old-fashioned honky tonk. His live performances are immediately engaging and a real hoot for any audience.

Beau RobersonBEAU ROBERSON – Beau Roberson, leader of the band Pilgrim, is a powerhouse vocalist with great range and a rhythmic style of playing that always gets the crowd moving. Down-home lyrics join with swampy grooves to create a gritty soul sound that makes you want to kick off your shoes and grab a drink. Just as powerful are the slower moments, when introspective lyrics reach deep down and stir your spirit.

Kyle ReidKYLE REID – Kyle Reid, leader of The Low Swinging Chariots, serves up a mixed drink of Americana with New Orleans flavor and a twist of Gypsy Swing.  Reid’s original tunes sound at once familiar yet new and exciting, blending elements of these classic American forms with contemporary attitude. It’s a rambunctious romp that drags one through the mire of everyday drudgery into a tent revival of glorious swinging sound that is guaranteed to get toes tapping and tail feathers shaking.

Creative Class of 2015: Scott Walters

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scottwaltersOctober may have ended yesterday. But since this is about Creativity, the Creative Class stretches into November for one day this year.  Scott Walters uses his position as Rector of Christ Church to build connections and raise awareness of a variety of art forms and creative disciplines.

Through his leadership and encouragement, two different public gallery spaces have been created at Christ Church, an Arts at Christ Church series has been launched (featuring all types of music from Grammy winning soul to Renaissance chamber), the basement has been turned into The Undercroft music venue with regular performances, and a partnership with the Arkansas Literary Festival has been undertaken.

Concerned with the built environment, he has led walking tours of downtown which have focused not only on the history of the neighborhood but also looking at its present and envisioning its future possibilities.  Because Christ Church is at a hub of development in the River Market, Creative Corridor, SoMa, MacArthur Park and Hanger Hill, he is exploring ways to more actively integrate the church into its greater community.

Interested in historic preservation, he is currently shepherding an effort to restore the historic stained glass windows at the church. A student of poetry, philosophy and urban planning, he can often be found engaged in discussions about those topics.  But he is just as likely to discuss comedians, YouTube videos, and the local music scene.