The annual springtime Concert Under The Stars takes place at the Gardens Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m., featuring an unforgettable evening of Gypsy Jazz with The John Jorgenson Quintet. Violinist Ashley Liberty and pianist Daniel Strange will open the show.
“This year’s Concert Under The Stars takes guests back to the Parisian jazz haunts of the 1930s and 1940s,” says Brian Ososky, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “The music has a swinging, upbeat sound that will really connect with concert-goers. John Jorgenson is one of the best in the business, and people are going to be blown away when they hear him on the guitar; it’s unbelievable.”
The group’s style has been called Gypsy Jazz after the dynamic string-driven swing created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in 1930′s Paris, but Jorgenson’s compositions draw in elements from Latin, Romanian, Classical, Rock and Greek styles, so “21st-Century World Music” is perhaps a more apt description.
Known for his blistering guitar licks and mastery of a broad musical palette, Jorgenson has earned a reputation as a world-class musician and guitarist who has collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan. In addition to acoustic and electric guitars, he is also regularly featured on the saxophone, clarinet, bouzouki, pedal steel, mandolin and vocals, and has garnered recognition for contributing to numerous platinum-selling and Grammy-winning albums.
According to The New York Times, “Jorgenson is perhaps the best jazz guitarist alive.”
“The music is going to be fantastic, but it’s also about the whole experience in the unique, outdoor setting of our Great Lawn,” Ososky said. “There’s nothing quite like relaxing with friends and family on picnic blankets and camp chairs on a sprawling green hillside and enjoying three hours of live music with the 205-foot Bok Tower as your backdrop.”
Gardens’ carillonneur Geert D’hollander will give a special pre-concert performance on the Singing Tower carillon. There will also be a picnic contest with prizes awarded for Best Americana picnic, Best Jazz picnic, and Best Overall.
Ticket prices for the 2015 edition of “Concert Under The Stars” are $20 in advance ($18 members), and $8 children ages 5 to 12. Day-of-show tickets are slightly higher at $25 adults and $10 children.