MUSIC FROM THE GARDEN

Transcription

1 Botanical Garden One Palm Drive New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park website MUSIC FROM THE GARDEN For the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Spring not only means fragrance and flowers but it also means music. The New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park kick- off two different music series this March. Thursday at Twilight and Sunday Garden Party Thursdays at Twilight This very popular series with an array of musicians and Mint Juleps will begin Thursday, March 7th with a performance by Banu Gibson. This very popular Thursday at Twilight, garden concert series is held indoors at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters. A few of the musicians scheduled to appear this season are John Bouttė, Lena Prima, James Rivers, Paul Soniat, and David Torkanowsky. This series is supported by The Azby Fund. WHERE: Pavilion of the Two Sisters

2 New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park TIME: Thursday Evenings 5:00 PM - Gates Open 6:00 PM - Performance Begins COST: $10.00 Adults $3.00 Children ages 5-12 Advance sale tickets are available Thursdays at Twilight Schedule March 7- Banu Gibson A superior and swinging jazz singer, Banu is one of the few vocalists of her generation to maintain exclusive loyalty to songs of the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. A powerful force on stage, her enthusiasm and showmanship are highlighted by her wide range and versatility. Website: March 14 The Songs of Paul Sanchez Paul Sanchez is a vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. Recently Sanchez has been consumed with writing and recording a musical about New Orleans based on "Nine Lives," a book by former New Yorker writer Dan Baum. Vocalist Arsené Delay, Debbie Davis and Antoine Diel, will join Paul. Together they are sure to deliver a wonderful evening of music for you. March 21 New Leviathan Oriental Fox Trot Orchestra The New Leviathan Oriental Fox- Trot Orchestra is an American revival orchestra that performs vintage American music popular from the

3 1890s through the early 1930s. The orchestra pays particular attention to the music of New Orleans, in addition to the well- known compositions of jazz and ragtime composers like Jelly Roll Morton, Fletcher Henderson, and Eubie Blake. March 28 Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Aurora Nealand, an established bandleader, composer, and musical improviser, will join Tom McDermott, one of New Orleans most versatile piano players, and a regular of our Twilight Series. Aurora Nealand has become a prominent force in the New Orleans music scene since she first arrived in 2005, and has emerged as an innovative, sensitive and daring music creator and performer. Aurora and Tom together are guaranteed to deliver an evening of memorable, enjoyable music. April 4 Susan Cowsill Susan Cowsill writes and performs songs about life, love, hope, and hurricanes. She has been critically praised for her song- writing and singing, though she says she prefers live performances for the interaction with her audiences, each unique to the moment. Come enjoy a lovely spring night in the Garden being lead on a cathartic musical journey with Susan Cowsill, her husband, Russ Broussard (one of N.O. s finest drummers), and Janson Lohmeyer an exceptional keyboardist & band leader in his own right. April 11 Tricia Boutté and Paul Longstreth Tricia Boutté and Paul Longstreth have been working on- stage together for almost twenty years. First paired with Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, this New Orleans duo has since toured worldwide with regular appearances in both New Orleans and all over Norway. Their songs, both originals and standards, spans almost the

4 entirety of New Orleans music, from Ragtime and Traditional Jazz, to Rock and Roll, R&B, and Gospel. This will be Ms. Boutté's first appearance in what will be her only New Orleans tour this year!" April 18 - John Boutté Voted Best Male Vocalist of the year at both the Best of the Beat and the Big Easy Awards. His song Treme is the theme song of the popular HBO series. Those who were lucky to attend his sold out concert last year were part of a magical night. Don t miss this year s show. April 25 SPECIAL OUTDOOR CONCERT Threadhead Thursday Pre- Jazz Fest Concert from 6pm 11pm on the OUTDOOR ROBERT B. HASPEL STAGE, featuring the New Birth Brass Band, Alex McMurry, Paul Sanchez & The Rolling Road Show, and the Creole String Beans May 2 Patrice Fisher and Arpa with special Artists from Mexico and Germany Mexican percussionist Javier Cabrera and Felissa Estrada, along with dancer Jazmin Cancio Lucio, and German trumpeter Klaus Lumma, join with harpist Patrice Fisher and Arpa promising an evening of lively Latin music and dance May 9 Leah Chase and Cindy Scott Two great ladies come together for one great concert. Leah Chase is a versatile singer who makes a smooth

5 transition from jazz- laden love songs to the up- tempo. Her artistry is sensual and soul stirring. A very visual performer, Leah quickly establishes a warm rapport with her audience. Cindy Scott is a rare breed of artist - comfortably covering a variety of music, undaunted by genre barriers and walls that scare lesser singers into pursing a singular line of musical thought. Don t miss it. May 16 James Rivers Movement James Rivers is a New Orleans musical treasure. He plays a mixture of Rock, progressive Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and Gospel; the sort of music that implies something for everybody when it s played. Rivers, one of only three Jazz musicians ever known to play the bagpipes, would probably call himself a saxophonist, but his forte is really an amazing musical dexterity that has helped him master a dozen other instruments. May 23 Alex McMurry Alex McMurray is among the best songwriters in New Orleans, a man who over the past two decades has written songs that mark our lives, deaths, loves, hates, hangovers, and what comes before and after those excesses. This will be Alex s first solo appearance at our Twilight Series, one you should not miss. May 30 Lena Prima To some performers, having a legendary father might be daunting. Not for Lena Prima. Born in show business and raised on the road with her famous dad, the singer/songwriter/artist has earned her own reputation around the country for her energetic charismatic performances. She will perform songs of her father as well as some of her original tunes.

6 June 6 Paul Soniat The Garden s own, singer/songwriter Paul Soniat will perform his original songs, which always entertain and engage the audience. He is sure to have some new songs, so grab your mint julep and get ready for an enjoyable evening. June 13 Natalie Mae & Her Unturned Tricks Inventive, detailed, emotionally straightforward, poetic and plainspoken, is how Michigan- born and New Orleans- resident Natalie Mae has often been described. Natalie Mae s repertoire includes an entertaining mix of original tunes inspired by the likes of Hank Williams, Bob Wills, and Dinah Washington. She is a natural- born performer with well- crafted lyrics and a voice that carries each melody with power and ease. June 20 - David Torkanowsky David is recognized as one of the finest contemporary jazz pianists in New Orleans, and over the years has performed with most of the great New Orleans musicians. Things just seem to sizzle when David is playing his piano. June Symphony Chorus of New Orleans Symphony Chorus of New Orleans and Opera Creole mark the tenth anniversary of Moses Hogan's passing with a celebration of his life and music.

7 Sunday Garden Party On the second Sunday of March, April, May and June, The New Orleans Botanical Garden and The Backbeat Foundation will present an outdoor concert series on the beautiful Robert B. Haspel Garden Stage. The stage is located in the New Orleans Botanical Garden on the east side of the Pavilion of the Two Sisters. Music lovers will enjoy great music while relaxing on the lawn and savoring the beautiful surroundings of the Botanical Garden. Headliners for this series are: The Honey Island Swamp Band, The Iguanas, Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys, and Eric Lindell. Sunday Garden Party series is sponsored by The Robert and Shirley Haspel Fund. WHERE: Robert B. Haspel Outdoor Garden Stage New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park DATE /TIME 4:00 PM Gates Open March 10 MIA BORDERS HONEY ISLAND SWAMP BAND April 14 TBD and THE IGUANAS

8 May 12 PAUL SONIAT AMANDA SHAW AND THE CUTE GUYS June 9 COLIN LAKE ERIC LINDELL COST: $10.00 Adults Advance sale tickets available