Fourteen-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs returns to Belleayre in what promises to be a rousing holiday weekend showcase. Known affectionately as bluegrass music’s official ambassador, Ricky continually blurs the lines between bluegrass, country, pop and rock; gaining new fans at every turn. Ricky’s sold-out show at Belleayre 8 years ago brought down the house with his vast talents. Backed by his red-hot band, Kentucky Thunder, the fireworks on stage will be followed by a dazzling mountaintop display.
One of America’s finest musical theater performers, Patti LuPone catapulted to Broadway superstardom as Eva Peron in Evita, singing its now famous anthem, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” and earning her the 1980 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Actress in a Musical. Since then, she has fashioned an unparalleled Broadway resume starring in Sweeney Todd, Oliver, Anything Goes and Pal Joey, and on London’s West End originating the roles of Fontine in Les Miserables and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Her most recent plaudits were earned playing Mama Rose in Gypsy and then sweeping all the 2008 theatre awards.
Joseph Arthur is smart, surprising and infinitely rewarding, constantly stirring the imagination with his writing and playing. His “oneman-band” performances are truly remarkable. A painter, a soloist and song writer, Joseph Arthur’s prodigious talents prompted Peter Gabriel to personally sign him to his record label. He has toured
with the likes of R.E.M., Ben Harper and Gomez and has had his song “In the Sun” covered by Chris Martin of Coldplay and remixed by Justin Timberlake.
Film and TV actor Meghan Wolf’s first album, Theory of Gravity, debuts a musical presence that is both down to earth and cosmopolitan; blending organic rhythms and soulful lyrics with modern beats and an urban vibe. Her penetrating vocals and impassioned performance recall virtuosos Joan Baez and PJ Harvey, with contemporary undercurrents of Radiohead and Morcheeba.
Few conductors on the world stage today qualify more than John Covelli as a performer of multiple talents and diverse experience. Nineteen years ago, Maestro Covelli led the Brooklyn Philharmonic in the first concert in what would evolve into the Belleayre Music Festival. This year, he performs as both conductor and soloist in presenting a concert of spectacular romantic orchestral favorites. The program includes Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” and Rimsky Korsakov’s ever popular, “Capriccio Espagnole”. The virtuosic finale features Covelli performing a riveting rendition of the celebrated masterpiece, Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.
July 24
Charlie Daniels Band Special Guests – The Divas of Daytime TV
Southern rock icon and legendary fiddler, Charlie Daniels brings his blistering live show to the Belleayre stage for an evening of flat-out fun and great music. Charlie’s music (a blend of rock, country, bluegrass, blues, gospel) is quintessentially Southern. Anthems like “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and “The South’s Gonna Do It” are among the signature tunes that propelled the Grammy-winning band to international success and more than 20 million albums sold in a career that spans half-a-century.
The Divas of Daytime TV are three Emmy nominated Soap Opera stars and accomplished country music singers fronting their backup band. Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live), Bobby Eakes (All My Children and The Bold and the Beautiful) and Kathy Brier (One Life to Live) combine to bring a great night of down home music and comedy that will leave you laughing and crying in your seats!
Tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson rose to international prominence as a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and has since fashioned his own signature sound. In addition to Blakey, Javon has contributed his
smooth jazz style on tours and records with luminaries like Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Betty Carter, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Donald Byrd and Curtis Fuller. Javon has appeared on over 125 recordings and has developed a formidable career as a leader.
Catskill Mountain Jazz Series is
sponsored by the A. Lindsay & Olive B. O’Connor Foundation
Acclaimed as one of the most transcendent
voices of contemporary violin, Regina Carter
brings her tenacious force to Belleayre and
will showcase her new release, “Reverse
Thread.” This recording is her latest contribution
to the world of contemporary jazz offering an uplifting and
stirring perspective on music from home and around the world.
Known for her original compositions and collaborations with many
jazz greats, Regina was the first jazz player allowed to play and record
with Nicolo Paganini’s treasured Guarneri del Gesu violin.
Catskill Mountain Jazz Series is sponsored by the A. Lindsay & Olive B. O’Connor Foundation
Grammy award-winning tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano and
maestro jazz guitar virtuoso John Scofield are reuniting for the
first time in 20 years for one of the most exciting jazz collaborations
ever presented. Joe Lovano and John Scofield are two of
the most lauded artists in contemporary jazz.
With his distinctive diversity of post-bop, funk-edged jazz
and R&B, John Scofield has prominently led his own groups in
the international jazz scene, recorded over 35 albums as a leader
and collaborated with contemporary favorites and jazz legends
like Miles Davis, Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden.
Known for both small and large group ensembles, Joe
Lovano stands out as one of the most successful saxophonists in
jazz. He has distinguished himself for some three decades as a
prescient and path-finding force in the arena of creative music.
Catskill Mountain Jazz Series is sponsored by the A. Lindsay & Olive B. O’Connor Foundation
Grammy winner, Patti Austin’s sophisticated vocal technique has
earned her acclaim in the fields of jazz, R&B and pop. On both the
Grammy nominated recording, “For Ella,” and her live concert performances based on the album, Patti offers a dazzling tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. Instead of trying to mimic Ella, she has absorbed Ella’s vocal style into her own voice, and the result is an amazing synthesis. She rose to stardom with her chart-topping duet with James Ingram, “Baby Come to Me.” And her 2008 Grammy for “Avant Gershwin,” was her
ninth Grammy nomination.
The Classic Rock Band, America was a permanent fixture of the musical landscape of the 1970s. Mega-hits like “A Horse with No Name,” “Ventura Highway” and “Sister Golden Hair” still resonate today. America charted 11 hit singles and 17 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums, making it one of the most successful bands of the era. This year, founding members Gerry Buckley and Dewey Bunnell are rolling out the hit-filled show in a 40th Anniversary Tour featuring a historic multi-media presentation of the band’s history.
The greatest hits of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens will come to life when Belleayre remembers, “The Day the Music Died;” a tribute to the stars that died in the 1959 plane crash during the “Winter
Dance Party” tour. Beloved classics like “Chantilly Lace,” “Peggy
Sue” and “La Bamba” will be featured. This rollicking journey into
yesteryear is sure to have the audience dancing in the aisles. John
Mueller is the top Buddy Holly tribute artist and starred in this
role on Broadway. Jay P. Richardson, performs as his father, the
Big Bopper and Ray Anthony honed his Richie Valens tribute in
a long-running Las Vegas show. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Donald Westwood, artistic director, producer, and stage director for the Belleayre Festival Opera, returns for the 12th year, bringing his unique comic vision to Rossini’s “Cinderella.” His shows are an annual festival highlight. This fully staged performance will be sung in English with a company of 45, including top soloists, Richard Tucker’s Community Chorale of the Catskills, and chamber orchestra conducted by Maestro John Covelli. All school age children and teens are invited to attend this performance free when accompanied by an adult. Opera News magazine has called Mr. Westwood’s shows “a dynamic alternative to the giants at Lincoln Center.”
In 2007, the Belleayre Conservatory commissioned Don Westwood to create a new children’s opera based on the children’s story “The Three Little Pigs.” The opera had its world premiere that summer at the Festival and received an enthusiastic reception from the audience. This interactive performance features music from great opera composers
with lyrics and story by Mr. Westwood.
Aaron Neville’s velvety croon is as instantly recognizable as any
voice in modern music. From his signature 1967 hit, “Tell It Like
It Is,” to his chart-topping duets with Linda Ronstadt on “Don’t Know Much” and “All of My Life,” Aaron has enjoyed a remarkable career. He has collected 16 Grammy nominations and was twice named Best Male Singer in the Rolling Stone critics’ poll. Charles Neville’s saxophone work spans virtually every musical genre and he has played with a who’s who of musical giants. Throughout their long solo careers and as members of the group that bears their family name, the Neville Brothers proudly carry the torch of their native New Orleans’ rich R&B legacy. The band’s tight live shows are the stuff of legend.
2010 PRESS RELEASES:
