The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra announces the 2007–08 Pops season, running December 7, 2007 through May 31, 2008. The statewide symphony brings worldclass talent to The State Theatre and NJPAC at affordable prices.
Hear top vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Michael Feinstein, enjoy the festive antics of the international sensation Canadian Brass, join the Celtic Celebration and avoid the mayhem of Times Square with Bravo Broadway right here at home. Full series subscriptions begin at $52.
The Pops Series kicks off on Friday, December 7 at 8 pm with the CANADIAN BRASS HOLIDAY CONCERT at State Theatre in New Brunswick, under the baton of Thomas Wilkins. A second performance will spread cheer on Saturday, December 8 at 8 pm at NJPAC. Springing from modest Toronto roots in 1970, Canadian Brass has since won a devoted international following and a reputation as Canada’s musical ambassadors to the world. Millions of television viewers have seen the Brass on such programs as The Tonight Show, Today, and Entertainment Tonight. The Grammynominated quintet has also appeared as guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills’ Music Around the World, and numerous PBS specials.
One of New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s most popular guest conductors, 200607 marks Thomas Wilkins’s first season as music director of the Omaha Symphony as well as his seventh season as resident conductor of the Detroit Symphony. Past positions have included resident conductor of the Florida Orchestra and associate conductor of the Richmond Symphony. He served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee and Virginia Commonwealth University. Second in the series is BRAVO BROADWAY, featuring a trio of singers straight from the Great White Way. Broadway luminaries Susan Egan, Melissa Errico and Gary Mauer come to NJPAC in Newark for a onenightonly event on Saturday, February 16 at 8 pm. These lauded musical performers will sing favorites by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and others.
Susan Egan originated the role of Belle in Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast, for which she received nominations for both Tony and Drama Desk Awards. She most recently starred in the title role of Thoroughly Modern Millie and played Sally Bowles in Cabaret longer than any actress in Broadway history. Egan also originated the starring roles in Triumph of Love and State Fair. Melissa Errico’s Broadway credits include Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Tracy Lord in Cole Porter’s High Society and Kitty in the musical Anna Karenina. Gary Mauer most recently starred as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, where his other credits include Les Misérables and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day 2008, join in a CELTIC CELEBRATION as vocalist Cathie Ryan appears with conductor Jeff Tyzik at NJPAC on Saturday, March 8 at 8 pm. Since her acclaimed sevenyear tenure as lead singer of Cherish the Ladies, the Detroitborn Ryan has established herself as one of Celtic music’s most popular and enduring singersongwriters.
She has released four critically acclaimed CDs on Shanachie Records and has been featured on more than forty compilations of Celtic Music. In 2003, Ryan was included in the Irish music collection, A Woman’s Heart–A Decade On placing her among Irish music’s finest female vocalists and songwriters. It was the first time Americans were featured in the series, an honor she shared with Allison Krauss, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.
JEFF TYZIK has earned a reputation as one of America's most innovative pops conductors. Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for over a decade, he also serves in that capacity for the Vancouver and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras.
Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Dawn Upshaw, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Mark O'Connor, Doc Severinsen, John Pizzarelli, Billy Taylor and Lou Rawls, and has created original programs that include the greatest music from jazz and classical to Motown and swing. DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER is one of today’s top jazz vocalists. She comes to NJPAC on Saturday, May 3 at 8 pm to share her Grammy Awardwinning talents with the NJSO audience. This multifaceted performer has appeared on Broadway in a Tony Award winning turn as Glinda in The Wiz and was nominated for an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Day on London’s West End. She won two Grammys in 1998 for her album Dear Ella, which also received France’s Victoire de la Musique for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Throughout her stellar career, Bridgewater has worked with Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis and many others.
Rounding out the 2007–08 NJSO Pops Series is the champion of the American songbook, MICHAEL FEINSTEIN. On Saturday, May 31 at 8 pm he comes to NJPAC in Newark to sing the best of Gershwin, Berlin, Porter and other musical legends with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. One of the premiere interpreters of American popular song, Feinstein has been a household name since the success of his oneman Broadway show Isn’t It Romantic (1988). He is currently producing a CD for his longtime friend Liza Minelli based on the music of her godmother Kay Thompson. Feinstein wrote the score for the new musical Perspectives, opening soon on London’s West End. -- www.njsymphony.org
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