LOS ANGELES (Henry Mancini Institute) - Founded to provide emerging, professional musicians with the training and experience necessary to pursue a career in music, the
Henry Mancini Institute (HMI) today announced the lineup for its eighth annual Free Summer
Music Festival.
In addition to long-time patrons of the
Institute like Christian McBride, Vince
Mendoza and, of course,
Monica Mancini, this year's festival adds GRAMMY(R) award-winning
Tonight Show music director Doc Severinsen, composers and conductors Lee Holdridge,
David Newman, and Charles Fox, wunderkind saxophonist Chris Potter, and much, much more.
Included in the lineup, Monica Mancini - who has contributed vocals to countless film scores and recordings for a variety of major artists - and drummer Gregg Field will pay a tribute to Monica's father, Henry Mancini, in a special concert. This concert is part of the Year of Mancini activities that commemorate what would have been his 80th birthday year. Other activities have included the United States Postal Service postage stamp issued in his honor on April 13, 2004.
Taking place from July 24th through August 13th, this is the first year the Festival will feature concerts throughout the city of Los Angeles, with shows being held at Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey, Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza and Downtown's California Plaza, in addition to the Institute's host venues of Royce Hall and Schoenberg Hall on the UCLA Campus.
The HMI's 84 scholarship recipients are brought together each summer to study and perform a variety of musical styles with some of modern music's greatest talents during its annual four-week series.
"It is a testament to the growth and quality of the Institute to see our incredible young composers and musicians perform in so many venues across Los Angeles," said Patrick Williams, Artistic Director of the Henry Mancini Institute. "I can think of no better way to cap off a year that has already seen so many wonderful tributes to Hank's legacy. It is especially gratifying to see the talent and musical artistry of our participants escalating every year.
This year will be the best ever!"
Concert Venues and Highlights
Royce Hall - UCLA (Saturday, July 24th and Saturday, July 31st)
Royce Hall, one of the finest venues for world-renowned artist performances, will host two of the free Saturday evening concerts. The series kickoff Opening Orchestra Concert on July 24th will be the first appearance by the full HMI orchestra, accompanied by Doc Severinsen and other guest artists.
Lee Holdridge, perhaps best known for his collaborations with Neil Diamond and his myriad film scores, will conduct an original piece, "Scenes of Summer."
In addition, the concert will feature the world premiere of an HMI composer piece and Charles Fox conducting a ballet composed of a suite from "Zorro."
The following Saturday, July 31st, will feature HMI's beloved "Tribute to American Film Music" where composer/conductor David Newman will conduct selections from the movie "Hoffa" and GRAMMY award-winning trumpeter Mark Isham will perform songs from the recent film "The Cooler."
Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza (Friday, July 30th)
This open-air Big Band Swing Concert will feature classic Big Band and Swing Music with room to move your feet!
California Plaza - Downtown (Thursday, August 5th)
In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, this free Big Band concert is presented as a part of the renowned Grand Performances 2004 Summer Season spotlighting Big Band selections and featuring post-bop saxophonist wunderkind, 33-year old Chris Potter.
Schoenberg Hall - UCLA (Friday, August 6th, Thursday, August 12th and Friday, August 13th)
The acoustically-rich Schoenberg Hall will again play host to a variety of chamber ensembles and big band concerts. The August 6th show is a chamber orchestra concert conducted by pop and jazz crossover composer and HMI mainstay, Vince Mendoza. It will premiere three HMI composer pieces.
Guest artists for that evening include pianist Kenny Werner and trumpeter Tim Hagans. On August 12th, bassist Christian McBride will perform at the HMI's first-ever jazz string bands and big band concert. The final show on August 13th features an eclectic mix of jazz and chamber groups led by HMI resident artists.
Burton Chace Park - Marina Del Rey (Saturday, August 7th)
In what is sure to be a highlight of the Festival, the HMI Orchestra's first outdoor concert in years will pay tribute to the legacy of Henry Mancini himself. As a part of a beautiful evening complete with a sunset over the Pacific Ocean, guest vocalist Monica Mancini and drummer Gregg Field will be on hand - not only to perform - but to applaud the world premiere of two HMI composer pieces as well.
Sponsors of the 2004 Henry Mancini Institute's Free Summer Music Festival include The Music Performance Fund, KKJZ-FM, Yamaha, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd., Bel-Air, Peninsula Beverly Hills, ASCAP Foundation, the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Brothers, Hilton Hotel Corporation, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Playboy Jazz Festival, BMI, Zildjian, PR Newswire and Kaman Music.
HENRY MANCINI INSTITUTE: 2004 FREE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2004 - Royce Hall - 8 PM
Opening Orchestra Concert
* "Zorro" Suite composed and conducted by Charles Fox
* "Scenes of Summer" composed and conducted by Lee Holdridge
* World Premiere of a HMI composer participant piece
* Guest Artist, Doc Severinsen, trumpet
Location: UCLA
Cost: FREE
FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2004 - Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza - 8 PM
Big Band Swing Concert, conducted by Justin DiCioccio
* Swing Dance selections
Location: Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza, 450 North Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA
Cost: FREE
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - Royce Hall - 8 PM
A Tribute to American Film Music
* Guest Artists include Mark Isham and conductors David Newman and Richard Kaufman
Location: UCLA
Cost: FREE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2004 - California Plaza (Downtown Los Angeles) - 8 PM
Big Band Concert, conducted by Justin DiCioccio
* Guest Artist: Chris Potter, saxophone
Location: California Plaza, 350 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: FREE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2004 - Schoenberg Hall - 8 PM
Chamber Orchestra Concert, conducted by Vince Mendoza
* World Premiere performance of 3 HMI composer pieces
* Guest Artists: Kenny Werner, piano; Tim Hagans, trumpet
Location: UCLA
Cost: FREE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2004 - Burton Chace Park (Marina del Rey) - 7 PM
Orchestra Concert
* World Premiere performance of 2 HMI composer pieces
* A Tribute to Henry Mancini, with Guest Artist Monica Mancini, vocals; Gregg Field, drums
Location: Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
Cost: FREE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2004 - Schoenberg Hall - 8 PM
Jazz String Bands & Big Band Concert
* 1st half - two 20-piece Jazz String Bands, conducted by Lesa Terry & Jeremy Cohen, Guest Artist, Christian McBride
* 2nd half -- HMI Big Band, conducted by Justin DiCioccio
Location: UCLA
Cost: FREE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2004 - Schoenberg Hall - 8 PM
Jazz Chamber Ensembles
* An eclectic mix of Jazz / Chamber groups, led by HMI Resident Artists
Location: UCLA
Cost: FREE
