Steven Page's 'Songbook' Gives Classic Treatment to Contemporary Songs

Reimagining great popular music of the past 40 years is the goal of Songbook: Steven Page and the Art of Time Ensemble. Page, co-founder and former lead singer of Barenaked Ladies, and Art of Time, an acoustic instrumental ensemble, will present their takes on contemporary songs at the Virginia G. Piper Theater at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9. The Toronto-based musicians will perform inventive arrangements of well-known rock and pop songs.

While "The Great American Songbook" is the name given to the pre-rock songs of such writers as Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, Page's "Songbook" expands the concept to focus on the songs of rock and post-rock writers such as Randy Newman, Radiohead, Elvis Costello, Leonard Cohen and Page himself. It's a kind of Great American Songbook, Vol. II. Page's vocals and the unique instrumental treatments of the Art of Time Ensemble frame the songs in what has been called "chamber music for the modern era."

Page co-founded Barenaked Ladies in 1989 and led the iconic band for 20 years. In 2009, following the release in 2005 of an experimental solo album called The Vanity Project, Page struck out on his own, singing originals and covers on tour and in a series of albums, among them two that Page produced with Art of Time: The Singer Must Die and Sgt. Pepper. The latter was a rethinking of the Beatles' landmark Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Since leaving Barenaked Ladies, Page has focused on performing songs by his contemporaries, as well as writing new material. Allmusic.com has credited him with "a powerful tenor croon and a knack for literate, catchy songs about love and life."

The Art of Time Ensemble deploys a range of instruments, from bowed strings and piano to a variety of wind instruments. It specializes in arranging songs in unexpected ways, including classical, jazz and world music-inspired settings. The Toronto Star has called the group "Toronto's musical gem," while The Globe and Mail says it is "Toronto's best-kept secret."

Page is also well known for his stand favoring free Internet access to music. "I think suing our fans is the wrong path to take when we're trying to nurture our fan base," he has said. "Studies show that people who share music online are more apt to spend more money on music."

Tickets:
$59 (M $51) / $39 / $29
Free for eligible veterans, students and teachers. Patrons 29 and under, 50 percent off.

SCOTTSDALE ARTS
Through its partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through three acclaimed divisions - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art - serving more than 400,000 participants annually.

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Since 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of artists and genres, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, the Center presents a diverse season of music, dance, theater, comedy and film from around the world.

LOCATION AND PARKING

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

ACCESSIBILITY

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to enhance audience members' experience, including: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description with two weeks advance notice. Assistive-listening devices and wheelchair seating are also available. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/accessibility/ or contact the Member and Patron Services Box Office at 480-499-TKTS (8587) [TDD: 480-874-4694] for further details. Please inquire about services when ordering tickets.

TICKET DISCOUNTS

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of ticket discounts for Scottsdale Arts members at the Friends level and above, groups of 10 or more and those purchasing packages to four or more events in one order. The Center provides free tickets to selected events for eligible students, teachers and active-duty military and veterans, and 50-percent off tickets to selected events for patrons 29 and under. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/tickets-discounts/ or call 480-499-TKTS (8587) for more information.

THE STORE

The award-winning Store at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts supports the mission and diverse programs of the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts. The Store's unique selection of merchandise includes artist-made jewelry, stylish furnishings for home and office, unique creations by Arizona artists, fair-trade and upcycled/recycled global crafts, music, books, greeting cards and imaginative toys. Purchases are tax free, and members receive a 10 percent discount. Gift wrapping and shipping are also available. The Store is open seven days a week: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.; and throughout most evening events. Phone: 480-874-4644.

HOW TO REACH US

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

7380 E. Second St.

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org

480-499-TKTS (8587)

To post a comment, you must register and login.