Summer 2005 Performances

 
June 9, 2005
“A Mid-Summer’s Night Dream” performed by Shakespeare Live!

Shakespeare's beloved comedy will take you on a delightful escapade as you follow the hilarious mishaps of four young lovers and a band of misfit rustics who become the object of pranks from the

Fairy Kingdom. This raucous production is a thrilling "first Shakespeare" as well as a riotous rollercoaster ride for those already familiar with the Bard!

Shakespeare Live! Is the educational touring wing of
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.

 
June 16, 2005
SIORA

"Creating a soundscape that needs no translation, multicultural and multilingual SIORA takes songs from around the world - from Latin America to Europe to the Middle East and beyond - and transforms them using the universal language of jazz." (William Page, Straight No Chaser.) SIORA features vocalist/guitarist/dancer Phyllis Chapell, and keyboardist/composer Dan Kleiman.

Bass, drums and percussion round out the ensemble (flute, saxophone and harmonica may be added).

June 23, 2005
The Dirdy Birdies Jug Band

 The unique musical form known as jug band music had its beginnings in the United States among southern black musicians during the 1920's. While the backbone of the jug band sound was the blues, the repertoires of these bands were culled from a wide variety of musical styles including country dance, string band, ragtime, jazz and popular music. These songs often had a light-hearted, comical, ribald flavor.

June 30, 2005
The Sheps

 Back by Popular Demand!

The Sheps are without a doubt one of the most popular acappella groups in the N.Y.- N.J. circuit today, and have the credentials to prove it! The five part vocal group consists of original members, Tommie Shider and Richie Camacho, along with Charles Coleman and Johnnie Barlow, who all reside in New Jersey. Tommy Lockhart, the fifth member lives in New York. 

In addition to their popularity as an acappella group, The Sheps have one of the highest reputations for being back-up forces for such greats as Pirkle Lee Moses, leader of the Eldorados, Otis Williams leader of the legendary Charms, Ray Wooten, leader of the Mellow Moods, Johnny Bragg, leader of the Prisonaires, Ray Pollard, leader of the Wanderers, the incredible Ruth McFadden, Bobby Mansfield, leader of the Wrens, Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows. With all this going for them, they still find the time to create their original songs in which they are constantly turning out.

July 7, 2005
Cornerstone Playhouse “Broadway on the Green”

Cornerstone Playhouse will begin the evening with selections from their Summer Musical "Man of La Mancha," and end with selected numbers from other popular Broadway shows.

Cornerstone is the 'Community Playhouse of Sparta,' and has provided entertainment and performance opportunities to the community for 28 years. Cornerstone is based at Lake Mohawk County Club in Sparta. The group presents 3 plays a year and draws audiences from Sussex, Warren and Morris Counties.

July 14, 2005
The Kit McClure Band

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was an extraordinary all women big band of World War II era. The band started out as the school band of the Piney Woods Country Life School near Jackson, Mississippi in 1937. The band was made up of poor girls and young women, some orphans, for whom the band was the work that earned them their school board and tuition. As the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, the school band toured the USA to earn money for the Piney Woods School. As the Sweethearts progressed, they became a popular touring band at venues like the Apollo Theater in New York, the Regal in Chicago, and the Howard in Washington DC. In the early 1940s the band went professional. They split from the Piney Woods School and began attracting professional women jazz instrumentalists. They rated in the top 10 most popular big bands of World War II along with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Unlike their male contemporaries the Sweethearts have few accessible recordings.

In 2004 the Kit McClure Band brought the music of the Sweethearts back to audiences with the Sweethearts Tour in support of The Sweethearts Project (Redhot Records). The Sweethearts Tour presents the original arrangements as performed by the International Sweethearts of Rhythm as well as reinterpretations by women musicians of the Kit McClure Band. The Kit McClure Band transforms the Sweethearts' musical themes into fresh contemporary jazz - from swing to salsa, from R&B to hip-hop.

July 21, 2005
The Sound Bytes

For over 7 years the talents of Debbie Coffman, Steve Iannacone, and Doug Vano have been combined to create the unique sound of The Sound Bytes. Covering material ranging from Elvis to Queen, their original arrangements have been welcomed by those in their audiences. Their all acoustic, folk-like style incorporates just a touch of R&B, surrounded with brilliant vocal harmonies. Songs in their repertoire include “39”, “Down on the Corner”, “Listen to the Music”, “Dream a Little Dream of Me”, “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”, “Secret Agent Man”, and even “Pinball Wizard”.

 Debra Coffman is the lead singer and founder of the group. She has been a member of several choirs over the years and currently volunteers as soloist for her local church. In addition to The Sound Bytes, Debbie is also a member of the praise group "Voices in the Wilderness." Steve Iannacone began studying music as a percussionist in elementary school. In high school, he played drum sets in the school jazz band and branched out to other instruments such as tuba, banjo, guitar, and piano. Steve has been playing guitar for almost twenty-five years and does most of the arranging for the Sound Bytes. Doug Vano has been playing guitar for over twenty years. A self-taught guitarist, he has studied with various jazz and blues musicians and spent three months in Brazil studying Latin guitar styles. Before he joined Debbie and Steve as lead guitarist of the Sound Bytes in 1996, he played with several other working rock and blues bands such as ‘Get Back’ and ‘Exit 40’.

 
July 28, 2005
New Philharmonic of NJ Brass Quintet

The New Philharmonic of New Jersey is one of the Region's finest and most versatile musical organizations. Top-flight musicians and renowned soloists offer masterpieces both rare and familiar, along with new music by rising composers.

Musical excellence is only a part of The New Philharmonic story. The orchestra reaches out to New Jersey through innovative and varied programming that brings the music to the community. A successful concert series, popular chamber musicales and an ongoing series of presentations in schools all focus on bringing the audience and musicians closer together to add a new dimension of musical enjoyment.

Brass ensembles in various forms have been a staple of the music world for 500 years. Although the quality of the instruments has changed drastically, and new instruments have been developed even in the last 150 years, one thing has remained constant... the use of these ensembles for celebrations, both sacred and secular.

The New Philharmonic of NJ’s Brass Quintet will perform selections from various styles and musical eras, including: Renaissance and Baroque, Classical, Jazz/Dixieland and Marches.