The Columbia Museum of Art CMA Jazz on Main
October 27, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014 | Celebrates the Great American Songbook
The Columbia Museum of Art hosts the second “CMA Jazz on Main” concert in the 2014-2015 season with internationally renowned bandleader Noel Freidline on Friday, November 14, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. The Noel Freidline Quintet and vocalist Renee Ebalaroza return to celebrate classics from the Great American Songbook, presented in conjunction with Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera, an exhibition highlighting the creative process of the beloved American illustrator.
From the 1920s through the 1950s composers such as George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, and Richard Rodgers made some of the most enduring melodies of the last century. Their body of work has become known as the Great American Songbook. It was the music that gave hope to a nation in the grips of the Great Depression and provided a soundtrack for when the soldiers left for war and came home in peace. A country was defended, families were raised, and a nation was built to these songs.
“We are really excited to be able to tie the next concert in the ‘CMA Jazz on Main’ series to the Norman Rockwell show,” says Freidline. “The music of Gershwin, Porter, Kern, and Arlen are a perfect fit with the exhibition. The kickoff concert of the series with Nelson Rangell was an amazing night. And I couldn’t be happier to keep the momentum going with vocalist Renee Ebalaroza joining us again. Renee was so well received at the series’ inaugural concert in January; she was the logical choice to bring back for this special program.”
The program for the evening will include compositions by the great American songwriters as well as vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, and Bing Crosby. The Norman Rockwell: Behind the Scenes exhibition and Museum Shop will be open before the concert.
The famous swinging repertoire of the Noel Freidline Quintet, based out of Charlotte, N.C., mines the best of every genre. Vocally driven, their sound is characterized by sophisticated arrangements that always retain a playful element of spontaneity.
Pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and educator Noel Freidline has led his own band since 1992. He is currently a lecturer in music at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is the director of the Lake Norman Big Band (Mooresville, NC), and the artistic director of the new Center City 6th & Tryon Jazz Series in Charlotte, NC.
Upcoming concerts in the 2014-2015 season:
Oscar, Ahmad & George: Three Legends of Piano Jazz – Friday, January 16, 2015
Tribute to the Swing Bands – Friday, April 17, 2015
Presented by Family Medicine Centers of South Carolina.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m.Concert at 7:30 p.m. Cash Bar.
Season Tickets: $130/ $90 for members
Individual Seats: $35 / $28 for members / $5 students
Premier Table Seating:
$300 6 guests & 2 bottles of wine
$200 4 guests & 1 bottle of wine
For more information about Freidline, visit noelfreidline.com
Tickets and program information can be found at columbiamuseum.org.
