Since the very beginning, jazz musicians have looked to Broadway theater as a source of material for improvisation.
Although jazz musicians have been utilizing music from Broadway at least since the 1920s, it wasn't until Shelly Manne's landmark recording of songs from My Fair Lady that the idea of doing an entire album based on music from one show became a popular trend in the jazz world.
The incredible success of that album unleashed a torrent of jazz recording projects that have explored the great Broadway musicals in every conceivable format.
For Jazz Goes to Broadway at the beautiful Cygnet Theatre in Liberty Station, we have chosen a variety of some of the most outstanding jazz versions of music related to the Great White Way and have put together an incredible line-up of world-class jazz artists to provide fresh new interpretations
The Season
June 23
Guys and Dolls
Featuring The Harry Allen Quartet
Saxophone great Harry Allen with special guest Bill Cunliffe
Saxophonist Harry Allen leads an all-star quartet through Frank Loesser's Broadway classic.
July 14
West Side Story
Featuring The KSDS Jazz Orchestra and The Jennifer Leitham Trio
Two views of Bernstein's masterwork.
The Jennifer Leitham Trio performs her own West Side Story Trilogy.
Plus
The KSDS Jazz Orchestra performing Stan Kenton's West Side Story
featuring Johnny Richards' Grammy-winning arrangements written for the Stan Kenton Mellophonium Orchestra.
September 15
Shelly Manne's My Fair Lady
Featuring The Jeff Hamilton Trio plus An All-Star Big Band with Special Guest, Vocalist Vernonica Swift.
Two views, both rooted in the Shelly Manne legacy.
Jeff Hamilton and Friends (The Jeff Hamilton Trio) with Modern Jazz Performances of Songs from My Fair Lady in the spirit of the original 1956 Manne and Andre Previn trio.
Plus
Shelly Manne's 1964 classic re-visit of music from My Fair Lady with an All-Star Big Band and special guests performing the original arrangements of John Williams.
September 22
Porgy and Bess
Featuring Gilbert Castellanos and the KSDS Jazz Orchestra
Two definitive jazz visions in one night. Gilbert Castellanos performing the classic Miles Davis/Gil Evans collaboration.
Plus
The Bill Potts masterwork: "The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess," from Potts' original charts.
December 1
The Music Man
Featuring Scott Robinson and His Music Men
performing Jimmy Giuffre's arrangements of selections from the Meredith Willson classic.
Plus
A Jazz Interpretation of Meredith Willson's "Here's Love," the 1963 adaptation of the film, "Miracle on 34th Street."
December 8
Sinatra's Kind of Broadway
Featuring Michael Berkowitz and The KSDS Jazz Orchestra with special guest Steve Lippia.
Performing the original arrangements of Nelson Riddle, Billy May and more.
Reserve Your Seats
Get the best seats at the Cygnet Theatre and guarantee that you won't miss out.
Our member price: $250 for the entire six-concert season. That works out to roughly $41 a show, for this caliber of artists at one of San Diego's most beautiful venues. The non-member price: $350.
The VIP season pass is $450 for members and $600 for non-members. It includes premium seating, pre-show presentations with the artists, and a season-ending Christmas gathering in December.
Seating is assigned. The earlier you call, the better your seats, and right now, there are great seats available-but not for long.
To reserve:
Call Chuck directly at (619) 388-3758. This is his line, not a call center. He'll walk you through the seating chart himself.
Harry Allen takes the stage in just a few weeks.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Ken Poston