Count Basie Orchestra and Diane Schuur to perform at The Hall

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Count Basie Orchestra
Troy, N.Y. – Celebrate 130 years of a great musical tradition as The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall present an extraordinary evening of jazz with the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra and two-time Grammy winning jazz vocalist Diane Schuur on Thursday, April 28 at 8 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno is the evening’s host with Wynton Marsalis, Mark O’Connor, Dave Brubeck and David Alan Miller as the Honorary Anniversary Committee. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is one of only three 19th century continuously operating concert halls in the nation, the two others being Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Designed in 1870 by acclaimed New York Stock Exchange architect George B. Post, the Hall was dedicated on April 19, 1875. “We are very pleased to help celebrate the 130th anniversary of The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall,” said Daniel J. Hogarty, Jr., President of The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. “The Music Hall enjoys a reputation for acoustic excellence not only in our region, but internationally as well.” The inaugural concert in 1875 was a sold-out performance by the Cincinnati-based Theodore Thomas’ Orchestra featuring soprano Emma Crauch. In keeping with its strong jazz tradition, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation will mark its own 25th anniversary on April 28 with today’s leading big band --the Count Basie Orchestra-- and jazz diva, Diane Schuur, both of whom are making their first appearance at the Hall. They join the long list of jazz giants who have gone before them, including renowned musicians Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Founded in 1979, the Music Hall Corporation’s first presented concert featured the legendary Benny Goodman on November 11, 1979. With a total of 17 Grammy Awards and 9 DownBeat Readers and Critics Poll Awards, the Count Basie Orchestra is a “working band” that continues to build new fans the old fashioned way—by hitting the road, meeting its audiences and playing its music, night after night. With bandleader Grover Mitchell at the helm, drummer Butch Miles, and the first-rate writing of Allyn Ferguson and trumpeter Bob Ojeda, the band has returned to its hallmarks: swing, precision, and above all, a focus on the ensemble. What’s more, the remaining original band members: trombonist Bill Hughes, John Williams, Butch Miles, Kenny Hing and Clarence Banks, ensure that the Basie spirit remains alive and well. Performing since the age of nine, five-time Grammy nominee and two-time Grammy winner Diane Schuur has recorded more than a dozen albums, toured Japan, Europe, Malaysia and South America, performed in tributes to Irving Berlin and Ella Fitzgerald at Carnegie Hall, and made numerous appearances on The Tonight Show. Leonard Feather, the venerable father of contemporary jazz criticism, rightly dubbed Schuur “a singer with all the right qualities—technique, range, adaptability to various pop, gospel, jazz and blues concepts.” Her latest album, Midnight, is a collaboration with singer-songwriter Barry Manilow and veteran producer Eddie Arkin. “Great thought went into choosing the Count Basie Orchestra and Diane Schuur for this historic occasion,” said Executive Director Laura Kratt. “We wanted a leading orchestra and dynamic vocalist reminiscent of that first performance back in 1875, but would also celebrate the Music Hall Corporation’s longstanding commitment to presenting the best in jazz. It was also interesting to learn that Diane Schuur and The Music Hall share a very special anniversary. Twenty-five years ago, Ms. Schuur began her career as a jazz performer and twenty-five years ago the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation was formed to actively manage the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. What’s more, this year marks the 100th birthday of Count Basie. It is a fitting tribute to the legendary bandleader as well as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan--who performed both with this orchestra and in the Music Hall--that this performance will feature some of Basie’s best-known repertoire.” The Basie Orchestra and Diane Schuur performing jazz in this world-renowned concert hall … what could be more memorable than that? The Patron Reception begins at 6:30 pm and the performance at 8 p.m. Patron tickets, which include priority seating, pre-concert reception and a special 130th Anniversary commemorative gift are $130. Regular ticket prices for the concert only are $48 and $40. There will also be a raffle for an original watercolor of the Hall created by local artist John Connors. Tickets are available for purchase at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Box Office, 7 State Street, Troy, Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Orders are accepted in person, via phone at (518) 273-0038, via facsimile at (518) 273-1564 or online at www.troymusichall.org. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall’s season schedule is available at www.troymusichall.org. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, named a National Historic Landmark in 1989, is in use over 150 days a year. Since it opened its doors in 1875, the Hall has hosted performances by numerous world-renowned artists including Marion Anderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Pete Seeger, Ella Fitzgerald, Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma, Henri Vieuxtemps, Ignace Jan Paderewski, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jose Iturbi, Vladimir Horowitz, Yehudi Menuhin, and Artur Rubenstein, among many others.
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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