ESSENTIAL JAZZ ALBUMS LIVE – PORGY AND BESS & MY FAIR LADY
THE WEST COAST JAZZ HOUR BIG BAND FEATURING
BENNY BENACK III, LIA BOOTH, GILBERT CASTELLANOS, AND NICOLE MCCABE
In this unique concert, the West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band—led by Josh Nelson and Kevin van den Elzen—gives audiences the rare opportunity to experience two of the most iconic jazz versions of Broadway musicals ever created.
The first half takes listeners through the legendary Porgy and Bess album that featured arrangements by Gil Evans and showcased the incomparable talent of Miles Davis. Taking up the role of Miles is trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, who was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as a musician who “plays with élan, evincing a more individual, ever-large sound offering, hard-swinging, often ear-grabbing solos….”
In the second half, the band brings to life Shelly Manne’s famous recording, My Fair Lady Swings with the Un-original Cast. Under the musical direction of the great film composer, John Williams, the original 1964 recording featured trumpeter Jack Sheldon and singer Irene Kral. Benny Benack III (trumpet) and Lia Booth (vocals) reprise these roles and are joined by rising alto sax star Nicole McCabe as featured soloists.
Click here to view program notes.
