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'The Great American Songbook' jazz concert set for April 19 in Canton

Posted 4/17/15

CANTON -- University Chorus, a production of St. Lawrence University, will present “The Great American Songbook,” a concert of jazz standards and show tunes from the 20th-century, featuring music …

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'The Great American Songbook' jazz concert set for April 19 in Canton

Posted

CANTON -- University Chorus, a production of St. Lawrence University, will present “The Great American Songbook,” a concert of jazz standards and show tunes from the 20th-century, featuring music by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Henry Mancini and more.

The music begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19, in the Peterson-Kermani Performance Hall, located in the Griffiths Arts Center on Romoda Drive at St. Lawrence University. Admission is free and the hall is accessible to those with physical disabilities.

Accompanying the chorus will be a trio of well-known and respected North Country jazz artists, led by University Chorus pianist Sam Whitesell. Drummer Kyle Tupper, a Canton native and graduate of SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, is director of St. Lawrence University’s Wind Ensemble. Bassist Dan Gagliardi, an associate professor of mathematics at SUNY Canton, is well-known for his work with pianist Bill Vitek as the duo, A Fine Line. In addition to playing behind the chorus, the trio will play three original arrangements by Whitesell: “What a Wonderful World,” “The Nearness of You” and “Some Other Time.”

The program will open with Fats Waller’s signature song “Ain’t Misbehavin” and will be followed with a medley of songs from “Showboat,” including “Old Man River.” Other titles include “Tea for Two,” “Misty,” “Deep Purple,” played in its original piano version by University Chorus member Barbara Burdick, and the Glenn Miller hit “In the Mood.”

University Chorus brings together the vocal talents of students, faculty and staff, and community members. Directed by Barry Torres and accompanied by Sam Whitesell, they perform a varied repertoire in theme-oriented concerts, often with instrumental accompaniment, in the best tradition of American community choral singing.