John Dankworth News

Pepperdine University Center for the Arts in Malibu, Calif., announces its exciting lineup of performances and exhibitions for the 2009-10 season.

Broadway veteran Eugene Fleming will head the cast of seasoned stage actors and exciting newcomers. Fleming has appeared in numerous musicals including Never Gonna Dance, The Tap Dance Kid, and A Chorus Line. Other cast members include: Nicole Hill, Matt Stewart, Jennifer Swiderski, Ryan Clardy, Shina Ann Morris, Nirene S. Brown, Jeb Kreager, Terry Lavell, Buzz Roddy, Johnny Flynn, Ryan Dietz and Jesse Sullivan, Graham Kuptz, Jenny LaRoche, Kisa Willis, Monique LeFlore, Brittany Younger and Davina Porter.

Such Good Friends is a documentary chronicling the Invisible Theatre of Tucson?s Pastime Players. For over 25 years, Susan Claassen, artistic director of the Invisible Theatre, has spearheaded this arts project. She, Gail Fitzhugh and a dedicated group of artists teach theatre, music and dance twice a week to exceptional education students. Verl, Danny, Beth, Janna, Meg and Jennifer have been members of this performance troupe. Their connections and ultimate friendship tells the story of two very different worlds coming together through the power of the arts.

Such Good Friends is a documentary chronicling the Invisible Theatre of Tucson?s Pastime Players. For over 25 years, Susan Claassen, artistic director of the Invisible Theatre, has spearheaded this arts project. She, Gail Fitzhugh and a dedicated group of artists teach theatre, music and dance twice a week to exceptional education students. Verl, Danny, Beth, Janna, Meg and Jennifer have been members of this performance troupe. Their connections and ultimate friendship tells the story of two very different worlds coming together through the power of the arts.

Often hailed as one of the greatest musicians to ever play the guitar, Grammy Award-winning artist and Edison Award recipient, guitarist John Williams, brings his vast repertoire of musical talent to University Auditorium on Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. for a performance that will leave audience goers spellbound.

On Saturday March 14, at 8 PM, the Riverdale Y will present a quartet of internationally known jazz performers. Nicki Parrott, jazz bassist and vocalist is making her second appearance at the Y. She will be joined by Derek Smith, the world's most recorded commercial/jazz pianist; Randy Sandke, noted trumpeter, composer and arranger, whom The Wall Street Journal dubbed 'the greatest trumpeter nobody knows'; and Joe Ascione, who has joined the three in concert on his birthday! Ms. Parrott, who plays regularly with legendary Les Paul at Manhattan's Iridium Club came to New York from her native Australia in 1994 on an Arts Council Grant to study with acclaimed bassist Rufus Reid. She has performed all over the world with jazz greats like Ken Peplowski, Bucky Pizarelli, Skitch Henderson and Warren Vache. She appears at major jazz festivals throughout the US and abroad and is a favorite on the cruise ship circuit. She also plays Klezmer music and appeared at the Riverdale Y last year with noted Klezmer violinist Alicia Svigals as well as touring Europe with David Krakeur. Randy Sandke has also appeared in clubs and festivals worldwide and is known for his virtuosity. He has recorded over 20 albums with musicians ranging from Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway and Dick Hyman to Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Art Garfunkle and Barbara Carroll. His work has been heard on the soundtracks of many well known films including five Woody Allen pictures. As a composer he has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and his works have been featured at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall; more than 50 of his compositions have been recorded.

Often hailed as one of the greatest musicians to ever play the guitar, Grammy Award-winning artist and Edison Award recipient, guitarist John Williams, brings his vast repertoire of musical talent to University Auditorium on Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. for a performance that will leave audience goers spellbound.

On Saturday March 14, at 8 PM, the Riverdale Y will present a quartet of internationally known jazz performers. Nicki Parrott, jazz bassist and vocalist is making her second appearance at the Y. She will be joined by Derek Smith, the world's most recorded commercial/jazz pianist; Randy Sandke, noted trumpeter, composer and arranger, whom The Wall Street Journal dubbed 'the greatest trumpeter nobody knows'; and Joe Ascione, who has joined the three in concert on his birthday! Ms. Parrott, who plays regularly with legendary Les Paul at Manhattan's Iridium Club came to New York from her native Australia in 1994 on an Arts Council Grant to study with acclaimed bassist Rufus Reid. She has performed all over the world with jazz greats like Ken Peplowski, Bucky Pizarelli, Skitch Henderson and Warren Vache. She appears at major jazz festivals throughout the US and abroad and is a favorite on the cruise ship circuit. She also plays Klezmer music and appeared at the Riverdale Y last year with noted Klezmer violinist Alicia Svigals as well as touring Europe with David Krakeur. Randy Sandke has also appeared in clubs and festivals worldwide and is known for his virtuosity. He has recorded over 20 albums with musicians ranging from Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway and Dick Hyman to Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Art Garfunkle and Barbara Carroll. His work has been heard on the soundtracks of many well known films including five Woody Allen pictures. As a composer he has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and his works have been featured at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall; more than 50 of his compositions have been recorded.

Blue Note, the popular theater district jazz club and restaurant has announced their August and September 2008 schedule.

The Rrazz Room will welcome Frenchie Davis, Dame Cleo Laine (Into the Woods, The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and husband Sir John Dankworth will perform Sept. 2-14; the legendary, Tony-winning singer-actress-dancer Chita Rivera will play the Rrazz Sept. 23-28 and Sept. 30-Oct. 5; and cabaret and theatre favorite Andrea Marcovicci will offer Marcovicci Sings Movies II Oct. 14-Nov. 2.

Side by Side by Sondheim, a celebration of the works of Stephen Sondheim, will enjoy a limited 12-week run at the Venue Theatre in London, from April 26 - July 14, 2007, with Opening Night scheduled for Tuesday, May 1. The production will be the first major West End revival in 30 years. The show is produced by The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) producers Neil Laidlaw (NML Productions) and Melanie Herman.