John May News

The Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC) goes global at its annual Winter Concert with a program spotlighting the choral music of 20 composers from 10 nations spanning 5 centuries, on Sunday, December 5, 7 p.m, and Sunday, December 12, 2010, 7 p.m., at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The 'musical tour' includes a Buddhist prayer sung in Japanese, Italian art songs, and a Czech piece based on a Moravian folksong, as well as works by J.S. Bach, Benjamin Britten, John Rutter, Omar Macha and Gustav Holst, and contemporary composers Ruth Watson Henderson, Nicholas Nicassio, Mark Sirett and Brian Holmes, and others. Punctuated with plenty of holiday spirit as well, the Winter Concert is part of the renowned choir's year-long 25th Anniversary celebration, commemorating LACC's commitment to educating young people in the choral arts and creating glorious music for audiences around the world.

World renowned tenor Ben Heppner - described by the Telegraph (UK) as 'the world's dramatic tenor of choice, distinguished not only by his stamina and power but also his clarion beauty of tone' - headlines a special free community conversation open to the general public and presented by Los Angeles Children's Chorus in conjunction with its new Young Men's Ensemble (YME) on Friday, December 10, at 7:30 P.M., at Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. Young Men's Ensemble Director Dr. Steven Kronauer moderates the conversation, during which Heppner, currently featured in the title role of LA Opera's production of Lohengrin, will discuss his career in general, as well as his singing techniques, his voice change during adolescence, and how he trained during that period of his life. He will also answer questions from the audience.

World renowned tenor Ben Heppner - described by the Telegraph (UK) as 'the world's dramatic tenor of choice, distinguished not only by his stamina and power but also his clarion beauty of tone' - headlines a special free community conversation open to the general public and presented by Los Angeles Children's Chorus in conjunction with its new Young Men's Ensemble (YME) on Friday, December 10, at 7:30 P.M., at Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. Young Men's Ensemble Director Dr. Steven Kronauer moderates the conversation, during which Heppner, currently featured in the title role of LA Opera's production of Lohengrin, will discuss his career in general, as well as his singing techniques, his voice change during adolescence, and how he trained during that period of his life. He will also answer questions from the audience.

Trumpet sensation Chris Botti, known for effortlessly crossing boundaries between pop and classical, jazz and rock, will bring his chart-topping talents to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for a special one-night-only concert Sunday, January 8, 2011 in Segerstrom Hall. A gifted instrumentalist, talented composer, charismatic performer and former trumpeter for Sting, Botti has risen to new heights of popularity with his critically acclaimed CDs, Live in Boston, December and Italia. Botti's performance is being offered as a Bonus Event in the Center's 2010-11 Jazz Series.

For the third year in a row, Performing Arts Fort Worth presents the University of North Texas Jazz Artist Series at McDavid Studio. The series kicks off Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 8:00 p.m. at McDavid Studio, 301 E. 4th St.

Chris Botti returns to the Blue Note for his annual three-week residence from December 13 to January 2, including Christmas and New Year's Eve. This year, Botti is bringing a new band that features drummer Billy Kilson, guitarist Mark Whitfield, pianist Billy Childs, keyboardist Andy Ezrin, bassist Carlos Henriquez, vocalist Lisa Fischer, and violinists Caroline Campbell and Chee-Yun. Botti's accessible style, charm, and impressive backing band have kept him at the top of the contemporary jazz world for years. With a warm, effortless tone on the trumpet, Botti seamlessly weaves songs from the pop, jazz, classical and contemporary genres into each set. His Blue Note runs have been star-studded affairs over the last few years, boasting guest artists like John Mayer and Sting, and this year's series will be no different. As an artist who plays mostly concert halls all over the world, playing for three weeks at such an intimate club is a treat for Botti, who calls the Blue Note his favorite stop of the year.

The Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC) goes global at its annual Winter Concert with a program spotlighting the choral music of 20 composers from 10 nations spanning 5 centuries, on Sunday, December 5, 7 p.m, and Sunday, December 12, 2010, 7 p.m., at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The 'musical tour' includes a Buddhist prayer sung in Japanese, Italian art songs, and a Czech piece based on a Moravian folksong, as well as works by J.S. Bach, Benjamin Britten, John Rutter, Omar Macha and Gustav Holst, and contemporary composers Ruth Watson Henderson, Nicholas Nicassio, Mark Sirett and Brian Holmes, and others. Punctuated with plenty of holiday spirit as well, the Winter Concert is part of the renowned choir's year-long 25th Anniversary celebration, commemorating LACC's commitment to educating young people in the choral arts and creating glorious music for audiences around the world.

On Monday, November 8th, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation honored Julie Andrews along with Grammy® Award Winners John Legend, John Mayer and The ASCAP Foundation. Paul Williams, legendary songwriter and President of The ASCAP Foundation, accepted on behalf of The Foundation. Additionally, Natasha Bedingfield, a member of the VH1 Save The Music Alumni Ambassador Group, performed and the program for the evening, presented by LG Mobile Phones celebrated music as a universal language that shapes our life stories with a special tribute to the 45th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music by Kristin Chenoweth. The festivities were hosted by Broadway veteran and 30 Rock star Cheyenne Jackson. In the video below, Andrews answers some questions about her legendary appearance in The Sound of Music.

Singer and songwriter Tyler Hilton has launched a U.S. fall tour during which he will perform shows at high schools across the country during the day and club shows at night with his Warner Bros. Records labelmate Josiah Leming. The tour criss-crosses the country through November 17th.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician OZZY OSBOURNE will kick off his fall North American arena tour November 12 and recently added a second leg of U.S. dates.

On Monday, November 8th, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation honored Julie Andrews along with Grammy® Award Winners John Legend, John Mayer and The ASCAP Foundation. Paul Williams, legendary songwriter and President of The ASCAP Foundation, accepted on behalf of The Foundation. Additionally, Natasha Bedingfield, a member of the VH1 Save The Music Alumni Ambassador Group, performed and the program for the evening, presented by LG Mobile Phones celebrated music as a universal language that shapes our life stories with a special tribute to the 45th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music by Kristin Chenoweth. The festivities were hosted by Broadway veteran and 30 Rock star Cheyenne Jackson. Click below for some clips from the evening's read carpet, courtesy of Dana Saltzman.

On Monday, November 8th, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation honored Julie Andrews along with Grammy® Award Winners John Legend, John Mayer and The ASCAP Foundation. Paul Williams, legendary songwriter and President of The ASCAP Foundation, accepted on behalf of The Foundation. Additionally, Natasha Bedingfield, a member of the VH1 Save The Music Alumni Ambassador Group, performed and the program for the evening, presented by LG Mobile Phones celebrated music as a universal language that shapes our life stories with a special tribute to the 45th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music by Kristin Chenoweth. The festivities were hosted by Broadway veteran and 30 Rock star Cheyenne Jackson.

After a sensational fall Rockwood Music Hall Residency, including a CMJ show that the New York Times recommended as the answer to the question 'Who will be this years' Feist?', Brooklyn-based duo Lucius announce two additonal fall/winter shows sharing melodic homespun gems from debut LP Songs From the Bromley House.

On Monday, November 8th, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will honor Julie Andrews along with Grammy® Award Winners John Legend, John Mayer and The ASCAP Foundation. Paul Williams, legendary songwriter and President of The ASCAP Foundation, will accept on behalf of The Foundation. Additionally, Natasha Bedingfield, a member of the VH1 Save The Music Alumni Ambassador Group, is scheduled to perform and the program for the evening, presented by LG Mobile Phones, will celebrate music as a universal language that shapes our life stories and include a special tribute to the 45th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music by Kristin Chenoweth. The festivities will be hosted by Broadway veteran and 30 Rock star Cheyenne Jackson.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce a second season of shows at the theatre and the performers for its first show of the season!

After a sensational fall Rockwood Music Hall Residency, including a CMJ show that the New York Times recommended as the answer to the question 'Who will be this years' Feist?', Brooklyn-based duo Lucius announce two additonal fall/winter shows sharing melodic homespun gems from debut LP Songs From the Bromley House.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician OZZY OSBOURNE will kick off his fall North American arena tour November 12 and recently added a second leg of U.S. dates.

Two Members of Little Feat and One of the World's Most Iconic Celtic Acts Help Kick Off November at The Barns at Wolf Trap

On Monday, November 8th, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will honor Julie Andrews along with Grammy® Award Winners John Legend, John Mayer and The ASCAP Foundation. Paul Williams, legendary songwriter and President of The ASCAP Foundation, will accept on behalf of The Foundation. Additionally, Natasha Bedingfield, a member of the VH1 Save The Music Alumni Ambassador Group, is scheduled to perform and the program for the evening, presented by LG Mobile Phones, will celebrate music as a universal language that shapes our life stories and include a special tribute to the 45th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music by Kristin Chenoweth. The festivities will be hosted by Broadway veteran and 30 Rock star Cheyenne Jackson.

Two Members of Little Feat and One of the World's Most Iconic Celtic Acts Help Kick Off November at The Barns at Wolf Trap