American Riffs
Grades 3-6Tue Mar 7 — Thu Mar 9, 2023
Orchestra Hall
Multi-talented Minnesota Orchestra trumpet player Charles Lazarus is skilled at showing the many intersections between classical music and that great American tradition, jazz. Here students will learn about the development of American music through works such as Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing; Gershwin’s languid Summertime, from Porgy and Bess; Fats Waller’s Honeysuckle Rose; and dynamic music from Leonard Bernstein. Conducted by Sarah Hicks, the program features dazzling trumpet work from Lazarus supported by a quartet of jazz stars and, of course, the Minnesota Orchestra.
Things to Know
- Prepare for the concert by downloading our curriculum before your trip to Orchestra Hall.
- Tickets can be reserved in advance with no payment due until a month before the concert.
- The full concert will be available to watch online after April 26.
- Read a letter about the performance from Charles Lazarus, Trumpet and Host.
Artists
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. This past fall, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his tenure as music director.
Trumpeter Charles Lazarus, a member of the Minnesota Orchestra since 2000, has charted a unique course during his tenure with the Orchestra. As a soloist, composer and bandleader, Lazarus has created and starred in four original orchestral shows featuring his jazz ensemble: “A Night in the Tropics,” “American Riffs,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and "Our Love is Here to Stay," a collaboration with The Steeles and Prince's former keyboardist Tommy Barbarella. "Merry & Bright,” his concert of fresh takes on holiday favorites, is the newest addition to the Orchestra's annual holiday fare.
In 2015, Lazarus premiered Steve Heitzeg's concerto American Nomad, commissioned by Paul Grangaard. Lazarus and the Orchestra recently reprised this work, and a live video recording of the performance was released online in 2019. His composition A Perfect Square, paired with Michael Hall's book of the same name, was recently made into a children's animated short film.
Tonia Hughes Kendrick is notably among Minnesota’s most gifted artists, acclaimed for her transparent delivery that leaves audiences with a poignant electricity. Being ever willing to take on a challenge, and having an openness to engage in culturally diverse, what she calls “unusual” collaborations, has catapulted her career. Fusing her rich gospel background with the folk singing of Larry Long or the world-class trumpeting of Charles Lazarus with the Minnesota Orchestra or with a Flamenco at The Lab Theater defies categorization and is a further testament of her genre-bending talent.
Best known for his extensive work with Prince in the 1990s, Tommy Barbarella has a reputation for excellence and versatility extended over the following two decades by touring, recording and performing with the likes of Art Garfunkel, Mavis Staples, Jonny Lang, Nick Jonas, Italian superstar Giorgia and Minneapolis supergroup Greazy Meal. He has contributed his talents to Hollywood features by iconic directors like Spike Lee, Robert Altman and Marc Forester, as well as composing award-winning commercial tracks for Nike, Budweiser, Audi and hundreds of other organizations.
Jeff Bailey has performed in a wide variety of musical settings as a musician, composer, sound designer, producer and educator. He has performed with world renowned artists including Craig Taborn, Joey Arias, The Steeles, James Carter, Joey McIntyre (New Kids on the Block), Eric Gravatt, Charles Lazarus, Rodney Jones, Doc Severinsen, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Wessel Anderson, Pia Toscano, Jonatha Brooke, Geoff Keezer, Andres Prado, Chastity Brown, “Doc” Martin, Fareed Haque, Justin Robinson, Charley Drayton and James Moody.
David Schmalenberger recently performed on drumset/percussion with the Laura Caviani Trio, the Bill Simenson Jazz Orchestra, Pat Frederick and Low Company, the Steeles, Karrin Allyson, Marilyn Maye, Take That Back!, Cantus, Rebel Fiddle, DAT Trio and and the Jazz Explosion Big Band. He also recently recorded with vocalist Connie Evingson (Sweet Happy Life), guitarist David Singley (Good Hope), trumpeter Chuck Lazarus (Lovejoy and Merrier & Brighter), the Laura Caviani Trio with Chris Bates (Mysterious Thelonius and Confluence), Vicky Mountain and David Martin (Play On), Jerry Kosak (New Possibilities) and the Bill Simenson Jazz Orchestra (Big Alpaca).
Accessibility Services
- ASL Interpretation
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Open Captioning
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
Sponsored By
Mary Ann Feldman Music Education Fund
Angela S. Pennington and W. Anders Folk Student Ticket Fund