HAMPTON ROADS, VA [JAN. 26, 2018] – The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will present its next concert in the 2017-2018 Pops series, Whole Lotta Shakin’ – Swing to Rock, at the beginning of February.
Led by Philly POPS conductor Michael Krajewski, the VSO will be joined by multi-instrumentalist Dave Bennett, the program will be comprised of popular songs by the likes of Benny Goodman, Elvis, Johnny Cash and more.
Known for his entertaining programs and clever humor, Michael Krajewski is a much sought-after conductor of symphonic pops. He is Music Director of The Philly Pops and Principal Pops Conductor of the Atlanta and Jacksonville Symphonies. He previously served as Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston Symphony for sixteen seasons. A multi-instrument phenomenon, Dave Bennett is a clarinet virtuoso who plays electric guitar, piano, drums and vocalizes. He is the only artist anywhere saluting The Roots of Pop: covering music from the Swing Era to early Rockabilly and Country, to Elvis Presley, the Beatles and more. Entirely self-taught, Dave began at age 10 on clarinet listening to and quickly playing along with Benny Goodman records. At 12 he was invited by legendary jazz trumpeter Doc Cheatham to the bandstand of New York’s famous Sweet Basil jazz club. By 14 he was out frequently touring around the USA with Michigan’s New Reformation Dixieland Band. Later self-taught instruments were the electric guitar and “boogie-woogie” style piano. Dave has been featured on NPR Radio’s “Jazz at Riverwalk.” He made his European debut in 2008 at the Bern Jazz Festival (Switzerland) in a combo with jazz legends (and Benny Goodman band alumni) guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and vibraphonist, the late Peter Appleyard. Performances are February 1, 8 p.m., at Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News, and February 3, 8 p.m., at Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by calling 757.892.6366, visiting www.virginiasymphony.org or visiting the Virginia Symphony Box Office at 150 Boush Street, Suite 201, Norfolk, VA 23510 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. For group sales of 10 or more, call 757.213.1436. The Newport News Pops series is sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding and the Norfolk Pops series is sponsored by Wilbanks, Smith and Thomas.
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Under the leadership of GRAMMY-winning music director JoAnn Falletta, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra is Virginia’s preeminent professional symphony orchestra with a mission of inspiring, educating and connecting audiences of all ages.
Founded in 1921, it is ranked in the top ten percent of professional orchestras nationwide and serves the entire Southeastern Virginia region with Classics, Pops and Family concert series in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Williamsburg as well as performances in outlying Virginia and North Carolina communities, reaching nearly 150,000 concert-goers every year. Additionally, the orchestra annually reaches 45,000 children, students and lifelong learners with its education and community programs. The Virginia Symphony has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and is the cornerstone of the performing arts in Hampton Roads.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2018
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