Jazzed Up for Dmitri Matheny Group
Celebrated for his warm tone, soaring lyricism and masterful technique, American musician, Dmitri Matheny will perform at the Center during our FREE summer concert series on August 16th at 7:30pm. Completely fascinated by Dmitri’s history and his love of the unique flugelhorn instrument, we couldn’t help but interview him to learn more.
CHANDLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS (CCA): When did you start playing the flugelhorn?
DMITRI MATHENY: I started on piano at age 5, switched to trumpet at age 9, and began playing flugelhorn in my teens.
Dmitri Matheny, age 17, playing trumpet at Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan
I credit my father and his hip record collection for kindling my childhood interest in music. There was great music on our turntable all the time, from Rachmaninoff to Ray Charles.
After awhile I started to notice that many of my favorite musicians — people like Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Art Farmer (who later became my teacher) — were trumpet and flugelhorn players.
I especially loved the flugel for its warm, lyrical sound.
CCA: How many instruments do you play?
MATHENY: As a composer, I’ve learned to play several instruments just a little, but the only instrument I play professionally is the flugelhorn. That’s my voice.
CCA: For our audience, who may not be familiar with this type of Jazz, what can they expect to experience at the concert?
San Francisco vocalist, Clairdee
MATHENY: This is going to be a very special concert.
We’re featuring Clairdee, a wonderful vocalist from San Francisco who sings the Great American Songbook in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.
Our concert will showcase the golden era of the American movie musical and the leading songwriters of Broadway.
The program will be a hit parade of American popular songs as seen and heard in some of the most beloved films and shows ever made. The very best of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, and more.
The audience will witness some exciting improvised solos, of course. They’ll tap their feet and feel the rhythm. But it’s the familiar melodies that will seduce and delight them.
CCA: We noted you have traveled to 19 countries. Do you have any fun “on the road” stories?
MATHENY: So many memories! In Azerbaijan, on the Caspian Sea, people spread caviar on their toast at breakfast like it’s no big deal. I brought home a peanut butter-sized jar of Beluga! Barbados is home to flying fish, spectacular sunsets and some of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. The Netherlands is a tiny country (less than twice the size of New Jersey), but there are dozens upon dozens of music venues. Nearly every village has a beautiful theater or jazz club in which to perform.
CCA: As an advocate for jazz, what is the best way to keep jazz alive for our future generations?
MATHENY: For musicians, mentorship is key. Although formal jazz education is thriving at colleges and conservatories, there are many things about this art form that can only be learned one-on-one from a master musician.
For music lovers, nothing compares to the thrill of attending a live performance. Why stay home and watch amateurs audition on TV shows like American Idol, when you can go out and be entertained by seasoned professionals in your own community?
Keep supporting live music!
CCA: Anything else you may want our Chandler audience to know?
Photo by Tom Kwas
MATHENY: As performing musicians, we make our living on the road, playing all kinds of venues, from intimate nightclubs to elegant recital halls to big, outdoor festivals.
The Chandler Center for the Arts rivals the best of these in terms of sound, sight-lines and ambience. The acoustics are stellar — every bit as good as they are at Carnegie Hall.
As a Chandler resident, I’m proud to have a theater of this caliber where I live, and I’m delighted to be performing there with such a terrific band.
This show offers residents and visitors to the area the opportunity to experience the Great American Songbook — live — in a world class concert hall, right here in the Valley of the Sun.
And you sure can’t beat the ticket price!
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See Dmitri Matheny Group featuring Clairdee live at Chandler Center for the Arts on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 7:30pm. No tickets required, the show is FREE. All seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6:30pm, and seating starts at 7pm. Suggested donations: $5/person, $10/family. Your financial support is appreciated.
High School Musical 2
Last Friday was our very last day of Summer Camp for 2012. The campers put on an amazing sendoff and showed us just how good things can happen when you work really hard for four days and love what you do.
Check out one, or both, of the camp videos below!
*Also, we have a ton of water bottle, lunch boxes and even some fancy electronic stuff left from all of our camps this summer. If you’re missing something, or even thing you’re missing something, give me a shout and help me find homes for all of our stuff.
They do dance
This camp has been moving at an incredible pace. Every time I tried to get some video of the kids practicing, they moved on to something by the time I got my camera set up. I did manage to snag this video yesterday morning, but by now it’s something totally different and new. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us tomorrow afternoon!
Camp 2 Performances
We don’t have camps going on this week (because of the 4th) but I still have camp video! Here are the two performances from Friday. your camper is either in Izzy’s or Marcus’ cast, but feel free to watch both, they’re really cute!
(disclaimer: I don’t have the world’s most fancy equipment nor and video training, so the quality isn’t the best. But it’s cute and these kids did one amazing job with only 4 days of work)
Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now
How many times did well tell our parents that we’re big girls (or boys) growing? I think it was one of my first phrases, so I can related to these young ladies.
Ode To Summer Camp
One of our campers from Camp 1 wrote the following poem about her experiences at Camp.
Ode To Summer Camp
My Mom said that for Summer
I would go to Acting Camp this year.
I rolled my eyes and heaved a sigh
Then shook with a little fear.
I didn’t know how to act and was afraid
For folks to see me sing or dance.
But she said it would be fun
Asked that I please give it a chance.
I made new friends and tried new things.
Like a tide does flow, out went my fear.
I learned to dance, and sing, and act,
This camp was fun, each day brought cheer.
I learned new terms-stage right, hit your mark
Discovered new talents and mastered new skills.
Each day brought more triumphs
And even some thrills.
Our musical play was truly a treasure
I will store in the vault of my heart.
“Don’t Stop Believin'”, this is so true!
But first you have to start.
So to others who might be afraid
You shouldn’t worry, or fret, or cry.
Acting camp is awesome
Just show up and try!
I want to say something to all who helped me
To try something new, you made my spirit swell.
So with a tear in my eye and gratitude from my heart
I bid you adieu and a fond farewell.
Thank you for everything,
Pieper Cull (age 9)
Summer, 2012.
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Pieper, you’re one smart, talented and creative young lady. I couldn’t say it half as well as you could, and I want to give you a high-five. I have a feeling that if we don’t see more of you on the stage, we’ll be hearing more of what you have to say and write.
Keep it up girlie, you have something special.
What’s Up With That?
Our campers get a bit ticked when they’re accused of something they didn’t do.
Costume plot for Camp 1 (June 4-22)
Yesterday we sent a note home with our campers giving them costume ideas for their performance next week (it’s almost here!). If you misplaced it, didn’t pick one up or it somehow got lost on the way home, I have a copy here. Because I like to have our parent’s backs. Makes life a whole lot easier.
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Costume Plot for Summer Camp
June 4-22
Coral: Hair is bright pink and she wears flashy colors and lots of sparkly jewelry. In Act 2, she wears dance clothes and several flowing scarves.
Aleta: Dresses professionally, but her clothes should be specifically chosen so that it doesn’t look like she’s spending a great deal on her appearance. She wears a watch and carries a purse.
Iola: Dresses very nicely and wears what appear to be very expensive business suits.
Janice & Lee: Wear well-fitting business attire.
Simone & Paula: Dress in a flashier way than Iola and spares no expense when it comes to choosing clothes. Think Real Housewives (glammed up, big hair, flashy jewelry and clothes).
Desiree: wears fashions an older, eccentric person would wear. Her pants can be too short, blouse too big, mis-matching scarves, accessories, etc. Think hippie (or crazy cat lady) whose clothes don’t fit just right.
Bubbles, Cammy & Sabrina: Their color scheme is RED. Think red hoodies, shirts, hats, scarves, accessories and normal or colored jeans or bottoms.
Kate, Tia, Alice, Ella, Gal & Guy: Their color scheme is BLUE. Think blue hoodies, shirts, hats, scarves, accessories and normal or colored jeans or bottoms.
Michelle & Kitty: Their color scheme is YELLOW. Think yellow hoodies, shirts, hats, scarves, accessories and normal jeans or bottoms.
Sammi, Maria & Ronny: Their color scheme is ORANGE. Think orange hoodies, shirts, hats, scarves, accessories and normal or colored jeans or bottoms.
Angel: Dresses very fashionably, but less flashy than Simone or Paula.
Nora: Rebellious. Think punk rocker with an “I don’t care” attitude.
Jory & Josie: Tattered or hand me down jeans and t-shirts.
Jen: Dresses professionally in pants and a nice blouse.
Patty & Polly: Think grandmotherly: nice old fashioned dress, maybe a wig and glasses.
EVERYONE:
During the final scene the campers come together in a chorus and
will need to put on their camp shirts.
If you have questions about specifics, ask your camper’s director (Marcus or Izzy).
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Costume Plot for Summer Camp
June 4-22
Coral: Hair is bright pink and she wears flashy colors and lots of sparkly jewelry. In Act 2, she wears dance clothes and several flowing scarves.
Aleta: Dresses professionally, but her clothes should be specifically chosen so that it doesn’t look like she’s spending a great deal on her appearance. She wears a watch and carries a purse.
Iola: Dresses very nicely and wears what appear to be very expensive business suits.
Janice & Lee: Wear well-fitting business attire.
Simone & Paula: Dress in a flashier way than Iola and spares no expense when it comes to choosing clothes. Think Real Housewives (glammed up, big hair, flashy jewelry and clothes).
Desiree: wears fashions an older, eccentric person would wear. Her pants can be too short, blouse too big, mis-matching scarves, accessories, etc. Think hippie (or crazy cat lady) whose clothes don’t fit just right.
Bubbles, Cammy & Sabrina: Their color scheme is RED. Think red hoodies, shirts, hats, scarves, accessories and normal or colored jeans or bottoms.
Kate, Tia, Alice, Ella, Gal & Guy: Their color scheme is BLUE. Think blue hoodies, shirts, hats, scarves, accessories and normal or colored jeans or bottoms.
Michelle & Kitty: Their color scheme is YELLOW. Think yellow hoodies, shirts, hats, scarves, accessories and normal jeans or bottoms.
Sammi, Maria & Ronny: Their color scheme is ORANGE. Think orange hoodies, shirts, hats, scarves, accessories and normal or colored jeans or bottoms.
Angel: Dresses very fashionably, but less flashy than Simone or Paula.
Nora: Rebellious. Think punk rocker with an “I don’t care” attitude.
Jory & Josie: Tattered or hand me down jeans and t-shirts.
Jen: Dresses professionally in pants and a nice blouse.
Patty & Polly: Think grandmotherly: nice old fashioned dress, maybe a wig and glasses.
EVERYONE:
During the final scene the campers come together in a chorus and
will need to put on their camp shirts.
Summertime in the City
That means that we’re back with another round of summer camps.
This was after only a few hours of practice, and they had the chorus of this song, plus a few others, down.
When they aren’t dancing, we still keep ’em busy, from learning lines, to learning how to take direction, to learning how to be sassy.
Okay, honestly, they didn’t have to learn that one. They came to us that way.
Paparazzi?
These campers don’t seem to mind.
It begins again…
I managed to grab a few photos of our campers already hard at work on their dance routines. At this rate, they’ll be ready to rock and roll next Thursday.
So, what have our campers been doing?
Tons, loads and more than I can describe. Here are some clips of some musical numbers that they have down perfect (or really, really close).
Coming up at the Center
Do you hear that? It’s quiet…too quiet.
Well, maybe not too quiet (that would be creepy) but no extra noises and no singing. How boring.
Thankfully though, our summer camps start-up in two weeks, so I’ll have something else to listen to besides my keyboard clacking.
Our summer camps are basically Glee Camp with a sugar high. There are two camp sessions, but each camp does something different. Camp 1 starts in two weeks and the play is awesome. (And no, I’m not telling you what it is. I’ll let the kids spread that message because they’ll probably be talking about it non-stop.)
Camp 2 is still getting ironed out, but it is a totally different play than the one for Camp 1, which is good because we have several kids who love us (well, our camps anyway) so much that they want to stick around all summer. That camp starts in July and is only 2 weeks.
Both camps have acting, singing and dancing, although not every part has all three, so if there are campers who love dancing and acting but aren’t so sure about the singing parts, they can tryout for the part that has the best fit for them. The last thing we want is for our kids to feel uncomfortable*, so we make sure that there are parts for everyone.
The flip side of that is that if a camper REALLY wants a part, they’re going to have to work for it! That’s the point of the auditions, Kristen (our amazing camp director) wants to help our campers put on the best performance possible, so she’ll go over what to work on the first day of camp.
Between now and then? Enjoy the silence, because it doesn’t last long around CCA.
*Because no one wants to be that kid standing on stage in the middle of practice and have a massive case of stage fright over take them. Happened to me when I was 10, and my mom has pictures. Talk about bad news bears.
Chandler Center For The Arts 