HSO’s Talcott Mountain Music Festival
Performing Arts
Center at Simsbury Meadows, Simsbury, CT
July 12, 2013
by Eric Sutter
Rob Zappulla and his Big Band performed a high-energy show
that spanned five decades of classic Sinatra from the Tommy Dorsey orchestra
era to his Las Vegas shows. It was billed as "Sinatra Under The
Stars" and although the stars did not shine above, they shined brightly on
stage.
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra began with a medley of
"Young At Heart" and "High Hopes." Zapulla's deep baritone
ably commanded the Sinatra songbook. His great performances of "Come Fly
With Me,” "The Lady Is A Tramp" and "Fly Me To The Moon"
and were right on. He is also somewhat of a comedian... his humor melted hearts
with laughter. Jonathan Ball on saxophone inter-played with Zappulla on trumpet
for "Come Rain Or Come Shine." The rain did hold off and cool breezes
made for a comfortable night of picnics and parties. The audience was won over
by "That's Life" which closed the first half.
The Big Band and Orchestra continued with the pop standard,
"I Hear Music" and conductor Jeff Steinberg was brilliant. A be-bop
number "Day By Day" further showcased the Big Band's amazing talent
with the hot saxophone of John Ball firing it up. "I Can't Get
Started" featured James Argiro on piano with Zappulla on trumpet and
vocal. Incidentally, in 2009 Zapulla released "You Ought To be Havin'
Fun!" which combined 1960's and 70's pop hits with the Big Band and
Steinberg conducting. Zapulla dedicated "The Way You Look Tonight" to
his wife in the audience and the enormous audience sang along to
"Summerwind." "Luck Be A Lady" gave way to the closer
"My Way." Zappulla and company encored with the "Theme from New
York, NY" complete with requisite audience leg-kick lines.
HSO’s Talcott Mountain Music Festival continues
with the "The Movie Music of John Williams" on July 19, and "The Rolling Stones Tribute: 50 Years of Satisfaction" on
July 26.
