Mark Murphy News

Mark Murphy has announced his decision to leave REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater), the California Institute of the Arts' contemporary performing arts and exhibition space located in The Walt Disney Concert Hall, at the end of the 2018/2019 season, in order to focus his attention on initiating new creative programs and productions in a variety of US and international cities. Murphy has led REDCAT for more than seventeen years, starting as its founding Executive Director in 2001, before overseeing the grand opening of the facility in 2003. Edgar Miramontes, Associate Director at REDCAT, will assume additional duties of interim leadership until a permanent appointment is made.

Segerstrom Center for the arts presents Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling in a special holiday set “The Beautiful Day” - Kurt Elling Sings Christmas for two performances on December 15 at 7 pm and 9 pm. Declared by The New York Times as “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time,” Kurt Elling returns to the Center with a special program that will feature a repertoire of songs from his holiday album, The Beautiful Day. Elling says, “I knew I didn't want to make a 'religious' record, just as I knew I didn't want to make a standard, swingin' jazzy Christmas. I'm trying to expand my consciousness and embrace the goodness of the season, and I want to include everybody. For me, Christmas is a time of consideration, of pondering mysteries.”  Inventive and fresh, this very special program reimagines the sounds of Christmas, mixing traditional carols decked out in new arrangements with songs that are revelations and rediscovered treats. Elling wraps the universal themes of hope, light, wonder, mystery, and goodwill in musical packages full of delightful surprises.

Segerstrom Center for the arts presents Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling in a special holiday set “The Beautiful Day” - Kurt Elling Sings Christmas for two performances on December 15 at 7 pm and 9 pm. Declared by The New York Times as “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time,” Kurt Elling returns to the Center with a special program that will feature a repertoire of songs from his holiday album, The Beautiful Day. Elling says, “I knew I didn't want to make a 'religious' record, just as I knew I didn't want to make a standard, swingin' jazzy Christmas. I'm trying to expand my consciousness and embrace the goodness of the season, and I want to include everybody. For me, Christmas is a time of consideration, of pondering mysteries.”  Inventive and fresh, this very special program reimagines the sounds of Christmas, mixing traditional carols decked out in new arrangements with songs that are revelations and rediscovered treats. Elling wraps the universal themes of hope, light, wonder, mystery, and goodwill in musical packages full of delightful surprises.

As BroadwayWorld sadly reported last week, composer/lyricist/actress Carol Hall passed away at age 82. We remember the Broadway veteran below.

BroadwayWorld is sad to report that composer/lyricist/actress Carol Hall has passed away at age 82.

Paul Jost, the unique vocalist and arranger often described as a 'passionate storyteller', performs at Mezzrow Jazz Club, 163 W 10th St in New York, with his quartet today, August 21, 8 and 9:30 p.m. shows. Paul is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger but it is his work as a vocalist that makes him a standout. Performing music from his soon-to-be-released album, 'Simple Life,' he is joined by his quartet, the musicians on his album … Jim Ridl-piano, Dean Johnson-bass and Tim Horner-drums. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. There's a $20 cover charge. Reservations at www.mezzrow.com or call (646) 476-4346.

Playin' Around South Orange kicks off for the sixth year on Sat., August 25 at noon, bringing live music and art in the form of hand-painted pianos and outdoor performances to five separate South Orange locations. Making their debut on the streets of South Orange are five thematically painted pianos that are available 24/7 for musicians, both young and old, to enjoy and play at any time.

Paul Jost, the unique vocalist and arranger often described as a 'passionate storyteller', performs at Mezzrow Jazz Club, 163 W 10th St in New York, with his quartet on Tuesday, August 21, 8 and 9:30 p.m. shows. Paul is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger but it is his work as a vocalist that makes him a standout. Performing music from his soon-to-be-released album, 'Simple Life,' he is joined by his quartet, the musicians on his album … Jim Ridl-piano, Dean Johnson-bass and Tim Horner-drums. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. There's a $20 cover charge. Reservations at www.mezzrow.com or call (646) 476-4346.

REDCAT, CalArts' downtown center for contemporary arts, announces adventurous international and LA performances featured in the ambitious new Fall 2018 season at REDCAT, including stunning stagecraft and object theater from Rotterdam, the world premiere of a new dance and video work by LA company David Rousseve/Reality, a slyly funny and poignant collaboration by German/British collective Gob Squad with six LA performers, a hilarious political musical-theater project by art collective My Barbarian, and the return of Christiane Jatahy with a Brazilian take on Chekhov's Three Sisters, which uses genius film techniques.

What a night! There was an electrifying enthusiasm in the air at the sold-out opening night of the 15th NOW Festival last week, as three distinct and inspiring performances launched the 3-weeks of premieres. 

What a night! There was an electrifying enthusiasm in the air at the sold-out opening night of the 15th NOW Festival last week, as three distinct and inspiring performances launched the 3-weeks of premieres. 

Dan Levinson's Midsummer Night's Jazz Party returns to the Bickford Theatre as part of Summer JazzFest for one night only on Thursday, August 2 at 7:30 pm. For his annual appearance at the popular festival, Levinson dispenses with music scores and stands for a jam session in the tradition of the legendary jazz clubs of the forties and fifties such as Eddie Condon's and Nick's. Joining the popular clarinetist will be Jon-Erik Kellso on trumpet, Harvey Tibbs on trombone, Mark Shane on piano, Rob Adkins on bass, and Paul Wells on drums. And as customary, the concert will be preceded by a food truck picnic.

Seven musicians who define the terms artistry, teamwork and chemistry starting with the chemistry of the married couple of Karen and Norbert Stachel, the leaders of LehCats.  Their versatility is evident, and their ability to deliver and uplift both the music and the listener is profound. Movement to Egalitaria was released June 12, 2018 (IYOUWE). 

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with Veronica Swift, David Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra, The Emmet Cohen Trio, and more!

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with Veronica Swift and the Emmet Cohen Trio, Django Reinhardt Festival Allstars, Tommy Igoe Sextet, Birdland Big Band, John Pizzarelli, Polly Gibbons, Carol Sloane, Memo Acevedo, Ronny Whyte, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

REDCAT, CalArts' downtown center for contemporary arts, presents the 15th annual New Original Works (NOW) Festival, a three-week celebration of Los Angeles' vibrant community of artists creating new contemporary performance work, July 19 to August 4, 2018. Patrons can see all three weekends with a $40 festival pass. Individual programs are priced at $20.

The second Wednesday in June marks a special evening of acoustic blues, a concert honoring the roots of the blues while sharing the music of those working at the forefront of the genre.

There's no time more appropriate for a PEACE AND LOVE concert than now, and on April 6, 2018, TJP (formerly known as The Jost Project) is proud to perform in the Great Stair Hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of their Friday Nights series. TJP will perform two sets of music at 5:45 and 7:15 p.m. As the perfect complement to the Museum's exhibit -- Design in Revolution: A 1960s Odyssey - TJP's music and the exhibit have a similar focus on the 1960s, a time of tumultuous political and social change, when messages of "peace and love" were everywhere. The exhibit is in Perelman Building, located at 2525 Pennsylvania Avenue, across from the museum. The concert is free with museum admission.

The Grammy-nominated Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which captures the infectious fun of big band music, will perform at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) on Thursday, April 5 at 8:00pm.  Jazz Times called the Los Angeles-based band, with a 32-year history, "one of current jazz's most vital large ensemble." Co-founder bassist John Clayton is a CSUN alumnus who has gone on to play with superstars such as Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle and Madonna.

Performing music from Duke Ellington, Monk, Jobim, Mingus,Toninho Horta, Stanley Turrentine, Noel Rosa and much more music from the American and Brazilian song book.