Cantabrians To Hear Sounds Of The 20s & 30s

The sounds of the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s will resonate in the ears of Cantabrians this October. Christchurch based American singer, Valerie Wycoff, whose tribute concerts to George Gershwin and to Richard Rodgers proved greatly popular, will be joined in concert this October by fellow vocalist Michael Lee Porter and pianist Barry Brinson to perform favourites from the pens of Berlin, Porter, Arlen and others.

Michael Lee Porter and Valerie Wycoff have both performed in several productions at the Court Theatre. Barry Brinson is well-known as both an organist and pianist, and has a special flair for standards of Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, and many more of this era. Brinson has recently released a jazz piano trio CD called “Pick Yourself Up.”

Wycoff says, “I love the rhythmic and romantic songs of these eras – Harry Warren and Hoagy Carmichael were writing, and there was great film and theatre music. While lots of these songs have become jazz standards which are performed by contemporary artists today, I’m also fascinated with the original singers, too. Ruth Etting is one of the singers I most admire from this era. She came from Nebraska like me, helped make Button Up Your Overcoat, Harvest Moon, and Love Me or Leave Me famous. We’ll be including a song I was happy to find called Love in the Afternoon with music written by Etting’s husband Myrl Alderman.”

Ruth Etting was the subject of the MGM award-winning film “Love Me or Leave Me” which starred Doris Day and Carey Grant. Wycoff has had fun researching the real story as Etting was not pleased with the way Hollywood portrayed her character. Wycoff hopes to one day retell Etting’s story as a staged drama.

ENDS

YEARS OF LOVE: GREAT SONGS FROM THE 20’S, 30’S & 40’S Valerie Wycoff and Michael Lee Porter, Vocalists With Barry Brinson, Pianist At the Great Hall, The Arts Centre of Christchurch 2 performances – 8 pm Wednesday 13 October, and 3.30 pm Sunday 17 October

Harvest Moon Collective gratefully acknowledges assistance from Creative Communities in producing this event.

Tickets: $18, $15 students or seniors Bookings: The Court Theatre 963 0870

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