TONY BENNETT & BILL EVANS: The Legendary Recordings
JOEL ZELNIK TRIO
HOLLI ROSS,VOCALS
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, @2:30 pm
WHERE: Old Bridge Public Library, 1 Old Bridge Plaza Municipal Center, Old Bridge
732-721-5600
www.oldbridgelibrary.org
This timely program is based on the dialogues between Joel Zelnik (born in Elizabeth), and Bill Evans (born in Plainfield), a 7-time Grammy Award Winner, at the Village Gate in NYC, during the mid-1960’s. Signature Evans works are performed, and Joel plays pieces he enjoys that show the Evans influence.
Highlighted is the collaboration of Bill Evans & Tony Bennett (celebrating his 90th Birthday August 3, 2016) on two albums during 1975 and ‘77, which yielded some of the best recordings in the history of jazz.
Few listeners realized that Tony Bennett was as much of a jazz singer as almost anybody; he had already made a handful of albums in a small jazz combo format, but these were far lesser known than his big chart hits. Then, in 1975, he made what would be his supreme statement in the jazz field, the first of two albums with the remarkable pianist Bill Evans.
They reprise the 40th anniversary of this remarkable collaboration of American Art Song at its finest, by recapturing the virility and expressiveness in these performances. It is a beautiful surprising repertoire—no Gershwin, no Ellington, no blues. They’re mostly songs associated with great female singers: Mabel Mercer and Billie Holiday, as well as Bill Evans’ own “Waltz For Debby” with Gene Lees’ lyrics.
Holli Ross has performed in top clubs from New Orleans’ Snug Harbor to NY’s Blue Note. Her recording…”You’ll See is a serious jazz vocal album from a singer who knows how to present a song with a measure of elegance...a top-tier jazz vocalist,” says All About Jazz. Her newest recording is with the esteemed vocal quartet, The Royal Bopsters which earned 4 ½ stars by Downbeat Magazine. Holli has performed internationally and at top jazz festivals. An ASCAP member, her songs have been recorded by Mark Murphy and Janis Siegel to name a few and she has recorded with many of todays jazz luminaries. Holli teaches at Hofstra University and Montclair State University.
JOEL ZELNIK - Jazz great Dr. Billy Taylor, was the first to give air play to Joel’s first jazz album, “MOVE”, which was reissued in Japan. A contemporary of Bill Evans, Joel has entertained 5 presidents, has been a pianist/bandleader for thousands of events, and has performed at concert venues in New York, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Japan and Greece. NYC venues include: Windows On The World and The Rainbow Room.
He has recorded four CD’s has a B.A. from New Jersey City University, and also holds an M.A. (from Rutgers University). His latest recording, “Live At Steinway Piano Gallery,” was performed on a Steinway Model D Concert Grand, released in Japan, and is now available in the US. Contact: DustyGrooveAmerica.com.
