Sinatra Under the Stars

HSO’s Talcott Mountain Music Festival

Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows, Simsbury, CT

www.hartfordsymphony.org

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.

Classical Mystery Tour

Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Simsbury, CT
www.simsburymeadows.com
July 17, 2010
by Eric Sutter

Guest conductor Leonid Sigal was not daunted by the half hour rain delay before he joined the Classical Mystery Tour on stage with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. The Beatles tribute tour began in 1996 and has performed with more than 100 orchestras across the United States and around the world. Two of its members are original cast members of the Broadway Beatlemania show. It became a time to rock as they appeared in their early Beatles look of mop tops and dark suits singing "Got to Get You into My Life." "Yesterday" featured Paul (Glen Burtnik) singing and playing acoustic guitar accompanied by the swelling strings of the symphony. A quick costume change to their Sgt. Pepper's costumes brought in John (Jim Owen) on piano and a unison sing of 1967's "All You Need Is Love." Incidentally, Jim Owen is the brainchild behind the Classical Mystery Tour production.

"Penny Lane" featured the woodwinds, strings and soaring French horn lines of the Symphony which gave a high goose bump quotient. The sun broke through as George (Thomas Teeley) began the opening guitar sequence to "Here Comes the Sun." Blue skies showed through as the band rocked "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band." Classic hits "Eleanor Rigby" and "A Day In The Life" completed the first half.

The night sky revealed a silvery crescent moon as the tour resumed with "Hello, Goodbye." "I Am The Walrus" was effective with colorful kaleidoscope images projected from the canopy above the stage. "Yellow Submarine" was sung by Ringo (Chris Camilleri) with an audience sing-along complete with dancing children. The latter day Beatles look was evidenced with John in white suit on "Come Together" and George in denim on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." A notable guitar solo with attention to detail was well received. The quartet and symphony closed with the medley of "Golden Slumbers, "Carry That Weight" and "The End" and encored with "Hey Jude" and "Twist and Shout." A resounding cheer brought "The Beatles" out once more with the familiar guitar howl of "Can't Buy Me Love."

ABBAmania

Talcott Mountain Music Festival, Simsbury Meadows, CT
www.simsburymeadows.com
Various events through July 17, 2009
by Eric Sutter

ABBA is Love! The super group came alive again in this spirited tribute to the 70's musical sensation. Beautiful weather, Swedish accents and the re-Bjorn sounds of ABBA combined to raise goose bumps at Talcott Mountain.

"Knowing Me, Knowing You" created a party atmosphere as the large crowd joined in on the background vocals. People sighed and moaned at the opening chords of romantic ballads such as "I Do, I Do, I Do" and "Fernando" with instantly recognizable flute and drum solo intros.

Andrea Pressburger (Agnetha), brought strong, haunting vocals to "Mamma Mia". Mathew Whale (Benny) provided memorable musical moments and swelling keyboards during "Chiquitita ". Nick Pattison's (Bjorn) electric guitar chimed in with the strings of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, which lightened the spirit of the songs. Guest conductor Glen Adsit had his work cut out for him as ABBAmania performed the disco tinged hits "Voulez Vous" and "Summer Night City." "Super Trouper" closed out the first half with Pressburger out front working the audience.

"Lay Your Love On Me" featured percussive keyboard that caused the female back-up singers to cavort with Pattison in a Conga line. As Monica Tietz (Anni-Frid) sang "I Have A Dream", a giant mirror disco ball appeared. The audience went wild over the swirling lights, propulsive sound and lavish costumes. They sang, swayed and waved hands in the air as Pressburger belted out a powerful "The Winner Takes It All". The happy beat of "Take A Chance On Me" with its warm vocal harmonies was a crowd pleaser and the cast encored with a zesty "Dancing Queen" with, of course, dancing everywhere.

Testimony to ABBA's mass appeal was the age range of the audience members who instantly reacted as the keyboard intro to "SOS" began. It was amazing to see 20-somethings (mostly female) clapping, dancing and singing along to ABBA's first big hit, "Waterloo", released way back in 1974.

Summer Groove

Talcott Mountain Music Festival, Simsbury Meadows, CT

www.simsburymeadows.com

Various events through July 17, 2009

by Eric Sutter

Summer Groove at the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows was a rainbow full of sound. Under Edward Cumming's inspired direction, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra backed David Foster and the Mohegan Sun All Stars for a sizzling but soothing night of rhythm, blues and soul. With Foster's lead vocal out front, the All Stars' horn section set aflame "Powerful Stuff." It was wonderfully unexpected to hear their popular musical stylings with the strings of the orchestra, collaborating on the rock ballad "A Whiter Shade of Pale."

The band was pumped as it shifted into the R&B tune "What a Life" with its fancy sax lines. Guest vocalist Christine Ohlman paired up with Foster on a lively "Soul Shake" performed Delaney and Bonnie-style. Foster played the tender love ballad "You Are So Beautiful" with Mitch Chakour on piano and Maceo Parker, who soloed on saxaphone. Parker sang "Georgia" lovingly accompanied by piano and strings. The nine-piece band cranked up "Soul Man" as Foster and Parker traded lead vocals and hot horns all around.

At twilight, the band resumed with a touching tribute to Michael Jackson on "I'll Be There" with the audience joining in. Chakour's soulful rendition of "What's Going On" was puntuated by the horn section, as was "The Letter," replicating a Joe Cocker style. Billy Holloman's sax intro and vocal on "Stand By Me" were heavenly, accented by a melodic guitar solo by Kal David. Parker's "Pass The Peas" showcased his funky saxaphone playing that caused a stir with throngs of people who moved to the groove. Foster asked for participation on the closer... a Woodstock revival anthem. "With a Little Help from My Friends" became a communal sing and sway. Peace was back by popular demand.