What would command $150 a ticket and fill the joint, even though nary a word was written about it? How about Huey Lewis singing Sinatra, and local jazz vocalist Eden Atwood performing a Spanish version of Lewis' “Power of Love,” all backed by the UM Jazz Band?
That's what happened last week at a concert to raise money for the jazz festival, the biggest single fundraising event in the festival's history.
The concert, which also featured jazz pianist David Morgenroth and other local artists, was hush-hush from the beginning, mainly because Lewis' contract prevented anyone from advertising his presence.
But word of mouth got out quickly, and a packed house went bonkers over the whole thing, said Boyd.
Lewis, a Bitterroot resident and '80s musical icon whose album “Sports” thrust him and his band The News into major stardom, performed four Sinatra tunes, including “Fly Me to the Moon” and “I've Got You Under My Skin.”
The highlight of the evening was “The Power of Love,” one of Lewis' signature songs from the movie “Back to the Future,” which Boyd himself arranged as a big-band tune just by listening to a recording of it.
It was a surprise even to Lewis, said Boyd, especially when Atwood started off singing a Spanish version of it. Both Lewis and Atwood then joined in when the full arrangement kicked in.
The $40,000 the concert raised is a huge boon for the annual spring jazz festival, which brings in major jazz artists from all over the world.
“It'll help keep us from going into the red for a while, anyway,” said Boyd.
Atwood isn't done with the UM Jazz Band. On Friday, she's the special guest of the UM Jazz Band fall concert, which features all three of the music department's bands.
Boyd, surprisingly, has never worked with Atwood before, though both are well-known jazz educators and performers.
“She's fantastic,” said Boyd. “I didn't fully realize what a wonderful artist she is until I worked with her.”
Preview
THE UM JAZZ BANDS in concert, with guest vocalist Eden Atwood, Friday, 7:30 p.m., in the University Theatre on the UM campus. Tickets are $6 general, $3 for students, available at the door.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)