Tucson Jazz Festival
Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra

When & Where January 17 - 25, 2025 | 17 W Congress St, Tucson, Arizona

Reviewer Patricia Cassidy

The evening started off with the New Breed Brass Band– to use their words “Music for and by New Orleans next generation”. They are a mix of Jazz, funk, the cities brass band tradition, R&B and hip hop. First time I have seen and heard a “Sousaphone” in a contemporary concert setting. Full review

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Tea & Trumpets Series: I’ve Got Rhythm

When & Where Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 2pm | Orpheum Theatre

Conductor David Bui Host Christopher Gaze

Program:
Rossini's Gazza Ladra, La: Overture, Britten's Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Benjamin's Jamaican Rumba, Anderson's The Typewriter, Hayman's Pops Hoedown, Gershwin's Cuban Overture, Tchaikovsky's Valse from Swan Lake, Coates's Knightsbridge March, Williams' Star Wars: Suite For Orchestra

Reviewer John Anthony Jane

It’s always a good idea to start a concert of music by various composers with an overture and Gioachino Rossini's Overture to The Thieving Magpie is arguably one of the best known and was even used in the Batman Video Game Score. It is certainly better known than the opera itself. Rossini's lengthy Overture definitely appropriates the pomp and pathos of the opera. Full review

Chor Leoni
Christmas with Chor Leoni

When & Where Dec. 19 at 7:30pm, Dec. 20 at 5pm & 8pm, and Dec. 21 at 2pm, 5pm & 8pm | St. Andrew’s-Wesley United, 1022 Nelson St.

Artistic Director Erick Lichte Featured performers Tina Chang & Karen Lee-Morlang - piano, Cameron Wilson - violin, Keith Sinclair - guitar, Laurence Mollerup - bass

Reviewer John Anthony Jane

From the twenty-first century to something composed in the sixteenth century. Gaudete, arranged by Michael Engelhardt, is a traditional Christmas carol sung in Latin that simply means Rejoice. The choir seem to sing with a single joyful voice, while the member’s individual comportment is varied. Full review

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Tea & Trumpet Series: World Tour

Where & When November 14 at 2pm | Orpheum Theatre

Conductor David Bui Host Christopher Gaze

PROGRAM
Arnold's Four Cornish Dances: Vivace, Honegger's Pacific 231, Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite: Sunrise, Strauss' Blue Danube Waltzes, Bizet's Carmen Suite: No.2 Intermezzo, Arnold's Four Cornish Dances: Allegro ma non troppo, Smetana's The Modau from Ma Vlast, George Gershwin's An American in Paris

Reviewer John Anthony Jane

This is the second concert in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra very popular Tea & Trumpets Series. The theme, as its title suggests, is an international musical excursion. First stop: the south-west coast of England where we listen to the first of two of Sir Malcolm Arnold’s Four Cornish Dances the orchestra performs this afternoon. It’s a locally inspired work that characterizes the rugged landscape of the county of Cornwall... Full review

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Revolution: The Music of The Beatles

Where & When Friday, October 11 & Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 8pm | Orpheum

Conductor Sean O’Loughlin Featured Performers Paul Loren & Rick Brantley - Vocals,Colin Smith - Vocals & guitar, Oscar Rodriguez - lead guitar, Chris Kuffner - bass, Jon Epcar - drums, Issac Hayward - piano & keyboard

Reviewer John Anthony Jane

What the audience sees and hears in Revolution is a celebration of the Beatles catalogue and in guest conductor Sean O’Loughlin, someone who knows the music well. Then, there is a group of talented musicians who blend harmoniously with the orchestra and who have been involved with many projects outside of this one.... Revolution Full review

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Tea & Trumpets Series: Hollywood’s Golden Age

Where & When Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 2pm | Orpheum

Conductor David Bui Host Christopher Gaze Featured performer Isla Stewart, Vocals

PROGRAM Jarre's Lawrence of Arabia Overture, Morricone's Gabriel's Oboe, Bernstein's The Magnificent Seven Symphonic Suite, Rota's Godfather: Love Theme, Arlen's Over the Rainbow, Steiner's Tara - Tone Poem for Orchestra, Arnold's Bridge on the River Kwai, Vangelis' Chariots of Fire, John Williams' Adventures on Earth, Mancini's Peter Gunn

Reviewer John Anthony Jane

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra kicked off a new season of the extremely popular Tea & Trumpets Series of matinee concerts with an unconventional, though entertaining, program. Maestro David Bui led the orchestra in a selection of notable film scores beginning with Maurice Jarre’s Lawrence of Arabia Overture. It’s an epic score for an epic film. Full review