Cover Photo-Rich Rossi(R) in an interview on the carpet at Confidential in Beverly Hills. Photo by Jeff Knight. Inside Photo-Rich Rossi (R).

Beverly Hills, CA -Film Festival Week LA was held April 11-19 in Hollywood, CA. The event was comprised of four unique film events and featured a wide array of films, webisodes and TV programs from all over the globe, exclusively at Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave, Hollywood (Chaplin Building). Festival Week LA had their opening night kick-off party at Confidential. Organizers programmed selections for ITN Distribution Film & Webisode Festival; LA Film, TV & Webisode Festival; Independent Film Quarterly Film & Webisode Festival and the New York International Film Festival (NYIFF).

“The NY International Film Festival is like the Roger Korman of film festivals,” said Rich Rossi of NYIFF on opening night. “We give every filmmaker an opportunity to show their work, exhibit and possibly win awards to kickstart their career.” The Festival featured a variety of film genres and made a splash in Los Angeles. “We have lots of various awards, we have audience awards, we have sci-fi awards and individual awards for different catagories-we give a lot of opportunities for a lot of people to give that encouragement. I consider it a very positive reinforcement for people who are just starting out in this business to give them an opportunity to excel to continue with their dreams to make good movies.”

Among Rossi’s favorite films of the Festival was “Meet Your Time.” ‘It’s a great film with Jason Alexander, it’s 25 minutes and I’m very proud of that film.”

Rossi, who has seen his share of adversity, knows what it takes to achieve, a basic, but simple message. “Don’t ever, ever, give up on your dream,” said Rich Rossi, ever the optimist.

For more information visit:

 http://independentfilmquarterly.net/ifq-festival-schedule.html

http://www.itnfilmfestival.com/Festival_Schedule_2011.html.

http://www.lafilmtvnewmediafestival.com/Schedule.html

www.nyfilmvideo.info

;

Pictured on the cover-Larry Graham of Graham Central Station and Actor and Television icon Arsenio Hall. Photo by Tania Anderson. Pictured above- Dave Koz. Photo by Greg Allen.

Blues, Funk and Smooth Jazz Take Center Stage at the Hollywood Bowl

By Buddy Sampson

The Sunday August 14 Smooth Jazz Concert at the Hollywood Bowl was one of two amazing concerts in four days, presented by the LA Phil.

Larry Graham and Graham Central Station chugged along like a train, the station being the Hollywood Bowl, on a perfect, warm night, with fantastic performances from everyone billed on the show, including Phil Perry, Spyro Gyra, Sheila E, Bobby Caldwell and the engine of the locomotive, Dave Koz.

Koz, who constructed a magnificent show, was like a point guard on a winning basketball team, willingly passing the ball to all of the acts on the show. And, as with successful basketball teams that love passing the ball, Dave Koz and the Smooth Summer Jazz audience came out as winners. There were no weak links in the show.

The show started with crooner Phil Perry, perhaps only one of a few true balladeers that exist on the music scene today. Perry’s rich voice immediately hypnotized the Bowl, starting the show with a decidedly romantic tone. The songs he chose for his set were brilliant. One of the songs were “If Only You Knew,” which demonstrated his pure vocal range. If there were a definition of the perfect singer, it would be Perry, who couldn’t have been better. He covered the Christopher Cross song, “Ride Like The Wind,” and the beautifully penned tune “Call Me,” among other songs. He closed with “It Takes a Fool,” graciously thanking Dave Koz for inviting him to perform. He was nothing short of excellent. Spyro Gyra followed, and they were like the second leg on an excellent track team, starting their set with a song driven by the funky bass line of Scott Ambush, whose bass lines were solid and amazing throughout the set. Spyro Gyra performed a song by the bassist and he took a solo that illuminated his outstanding solo technique. But each of the members of the quintet, which included Jay Beckenstein on saxophone, Tom Schuman on keyboards, Julio Fernandez on guitar and vocals and Bonny Bonaparte, on drums and vocals were proficient, seemingly playing with ease.

Later in the evening Dave Koz and Friends took the stage and they were magnicent. He graciously gave up his set to Bobby Caldwell, who performed his signature hit “What You Won’t Do For Love,” Sheila E and Pete Escovedo, Sheila E’s dad. Caldwell was in excellent voice. Sheila E put on a monster performance, playing her timbales like a she-devil, at one point near the conclusion of her set, knocking her equipment to the floor of the stage. Stunning in a short black dress, Sheila looked and sounded amazing and appeared in perfect shape, her arms and hands a blur, moving at the speed of light. She later changed to a red dress in which she looked equally stunning. Among the songs she performed her classic song, “Glamourous Life.” The band was funky and solid as steel. Pete Escovedo sat in and although his hair is grayer, his chops seemed to be very intact. Dave Koz, the saxophonist, played sensationally, but he seemed determined to get out of way of all the musicians on stage. His point guard skills were excellent and he only took his shots when necessary, delighting the audience with his smooth and sure saxophone playing.

But the night belonged to Larry Graham and Graham Central Station, who started their set in the audience, coming through the Bowl like a train, with Larry Graham at the front of the procession playing drums like a drum major. Dressed all in white with a long coat and white hat, Graham was dressed to the nines. The former member of Sly and the Family Stone performed many of his hits, including “One In A Million,” “I Can’t Stand The Rain,” and a few Sly and the Family Stone songs, “I Want To Take You Higher” among them. Graham and his funky band simply flabbergasted the audience. A complete showman, Graham did an amazing solo with he and drummer Brian “Rio” Braziel that had the audience in a frenzy. A bass pioneer, Graham later talked about how he originated his funky style of playing the bass.

The Wednesday August 10 show was entitled “Jazz At The Bowl-Blues Night. It also was a terrific show. Mavis Staples bought church to the Hollywood Bowl. Her songs were spiritual in nature and heartfelt. She began the evening with a gospel song. One of her songs seemed to touch and invoke history, “Freedom Highway,” a song about slavery and freedom. She spoke of her time with the Staple Singers and closed with The Staple Singer’s classic song, “I’ll TakeYou There.” She was in incredible voice. Keb Mo took the stage next. The Los Angeles musician, whose real name is Kevin Moore presented his Los Angeles blues style of playing and singing with ease. He is very smooth. But the night belonged to Robert Cray, who simply electrified the Hollywood Bowl audience with his guitaring and singing.

The Hollywood Bowl and the LA Phil presented two excellent shows in four days. Visit www.hollywoodbowl.com.

Cover Photo of Camille Winbush (L) and Quinton Aaron By Buddy Sampson. Inside Photo-Pictured Bronson Pelletier.

The Scoop LA’s Publisher asks, “Have I Been Hiding Under a Rock?”

By Buddy Sampson

Lately, I’ve been having other writers cover events for The Scoop LA. But at times an event seems so promising that even I, as Publisher of The Scoop LA have to go check out the scene. So when I received an invite to cover the “Unofficial Teen Choice Awards After Party, Hosted by Natasha Alam of True Blood,” I said “Hmm, this might be interesting.” But I have to admit I didn’t know who Natasha Alam was. Okay, I said, maybe, they’ll be a celebrity there or two.

I was wrong. This after party was star studded. Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. I arrived at the Rolling Stone, a club at Highland and Hollywood where the event took place and saw my good friend Jon Scudder of Jon Scudder TV and my good friend, Phil Jones.

Phil Jones.

And then it dawned on me- this is a PIC (Presidential Inner Circle) event. Phil Jones is the CEO/Founder of PIC. So I asked Phil if he needed any help. I didn’t expect him to say yes, but he did. Just my luck, huh? So next thing you know, I’m helping to put up the banners for the step and repeats (the thing that the celebrities pose in front of.) Little did Phil know that I had done little of that before, so I was secretly panicking inside thinking, “it would be just my luck if the banner fell down when a big celebrity is in front of it.” Ah but it went well. Perhaps a career in stage management awaits me. Anyway, I digress.

So I decide to take a walk around the corner to see if there were any celebrities I recognized and I saw a bunch of young, pretty and handsome teens standing in line. And quickly, I realized that I’ve gotten old. I didn’t recognize any of the faces. So I asked a couple of younger journalists and photographers to point out the celebrities to me. So I decided to interview some of the pretty faces.

Matthew Scott Montgomery.

I heard the teenage girls scream when one of the first guys got on the red carpet, so I said to myself, maybe I should interview this guy. Turns out it was Matthew Scott Montgomery, who worked on a TV series called “Shake It Up.” “I’m working on ‘So Random’ on the Disney Channel,” said Matthew Scott Montgomery. “We air Sunday nights at 7:30. We’re on our eighth episode. It’s airing as we speak right now, a lot of exciting stuff is coming up on Disney Channel.” I asked Matthew what it was like working on the show. “It’s way too much fun, ” he said. “It feels like you get to be in junior high again, but this time you get to sit at the cool table. It’s basically SNL (Saturday Night Live) for teens.” He seemed to be a fine young man, so I’d suggest you watch his show, “So Random.”

Taylor Beckett.

So now that my first interview was completed, a lovely young lady walked up and it was young actress and singer Taylor Beckett. So, of course, I asked her what she was doing there. “I’m actually singing at the event tonight,” said Taylor, who also worked on the show “Gene Simmons:Family Jewels.” But she has big plans for her immediate future. “I’m just working on my music right now and focusing on that,” she said. I suspect, judging by the great performance she did later that night, that her future will be bright.

Cher Rue (L) Lorraine Ziff (C) and Matthew Ziff.

Later, I ran into a couple of friends- a PR maven named Tamara Wentworth, who represents another friend of mine, Cher Rue. Of course Tamara wanted mention of her client and Cher Rue now has her own TV series. (There’s hope for me yet! Someone I know got a TV show!) We’ll do more on Cher Rue’s show in the future. Tamara also had two of her clients Lorraine Ziff and Matthew Ziff, on the red carpet, who just wrapped a movie, “Mansion of Blood,” with Gary Busey. “We’re doing a lot of things now,” said Lorraine Ziff. “We just did ‘Hardflip,’ (scheduled for release in 2012) with Rosanna Arquette and John Schneider.” The lovely ladies Lorraine Ziff and Cher Rue as well as handsome Matthew Ziff, obviously will be doing great things soon.

Barry W. Levy and Helenna Santos Levy.

I also spoke to Helenna Santos Levy, who worked on “American Reunion,” “In The Motherhood,” and “The Day Player,” among other movies and Barry W. Levy, a character actor who has worked on “Hawaii-Five O” and “Law and Order LA.” I also spoke to Drew Seeley, a good looking young man who starred in television series “The Closer” and in “One Tree Hill” and Actress Kate Seeley, his sister.

Drew Seeley.

Kate Seeley.

Later I saw a good photographer friend of mine, Scott Naide and I asked him, “so where are the big celebrities here?” He pointed to the guy next to us and it was Bronson Pelletier, star of the “Twilight” series of movies. I, of course had no idea who he was, because I’ve never seen any of the “Twilight” movies. But he was an incredibly nice guy. “It was amazing,” said Bronson Pelletier, when I asked him how working on that series was. “The comraderie was great, working with a lot of my friends. You really love it when you have fun with what you do.” I have to admit, I was very surprised to see such a popular young man standing around with no airs whatsoever.

Ashley Barker.

I also talked to a really pretty young lady, Ashley Barker, who worked on a movie “Bring It On: In It To Win It.” She was also a very grounded lady who is destined to become a big star.

Eric Roberts and a very embarrassed Scoop LA Publisher, Buddy Sampson.

I saw a couple of huge stars that I actually recognized. Gosh I feel like that guy in the GEICO commercial is asking me, “Have you been hiding under a rock?” There were many stars I didn’t recognize, but I saw a few I did. I saw Eric Roberts and I think that he thought I was a rabid fan when I asked him if I could take a picture of him. He said, “I’ll only do it if you are in the picture with me.” I reluctantly agreed. Then he kept on asking me if I was satified with the picture and honestly, I didn’t want to be in the picture in the first place, so I was a little embarrassed. So I tried to tell him who I was and asked him if I could get a quote. He said something to the effect of “this is a good quote, don’t take any wooden nickles.” I knew I wasn’t going to get anywhere with him. He was a real hoot, a very funny guy. So I said to myself, “let’s take a walk around the club.” I went upstairs and I immediately saw Camille Winbush. You may know Camille as the fresh teenager on “The Bernie Mac Show,” and “The Secret Life of American Teenager.” I had a television show for 6 years called “People You Should Know,” and Camille was a guest on that show. The fantastically gorgeous lady, with skin that is flawless, also appeared at an event for which I was the publicist for, a fundraiser for the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena (CHAP.) I reminded her of both and she said “Oh yeah.” But she had that deer in the headlights look that told me that she didn’t know me from a can of paint. So I asked her did she really remember me and of course she didn’t.

Katie Blair, Miss California 2011.

My ego sufficiently bruised, I saw this incredible blonde and I thought, maybe I can amuse myself by talking to her. Turns out, she was Katie Blair, the 2011 Miss California pageant winner. I tried to act like it wasn’t a big deal, but I’d never met a pageant winner before. Okay, well I met and interviewed Vanessa Williams, but that was after she became an actress. (Does that count?) Anyway, we had a brief conversation and then Quinton Aaron, the star of “The Blind Side,” walked up. Katie went to talk to him. Oh well, a bigger name. And he is really a bigger name. The guy is huge. He took a picture with Katie and Camille Winbush did, too.

Quinton Aaron and Katie Blair.

Phil Jones and PIC organized a fine event and I want to give him props for giving me a VIP bracelet. I’m a little worried though. I think the rock I’ve been hiding under has been a little heavy. Maybe I need you guys to help me get it off me. But it was very nice to meet a cadre of young stars. Special thanks to Erin Schnicker and Alicia Dahl for letting me get The Scoop on a wonderful event.

Gloria Estefan. Cover photo of Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan, Courtesy of the artists.

By Tania Anderson 

June 17, 2011- Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl was fun, magical and vibrant.

Harry Connick Jr. was as charming as always. He reminisced about his early days as a musician, pondering the fact that after hearing his songs on the radio, at least 10,000 people might buy his records.

His engaging New Orleans romantic jazz sound recalled a time when America felt innocent and life wasn’t so complicated with issues charging at you from every direction. Eyes of the elders around us glistened while Connick’s music invoked memories of decades ago.

Connick was joined by a trombone player and trumpet player who enriched the overall sound even more. At one point, Connick and one of the horn players turned their backs on the capacity 17,400 audience and performed a wiggle dance from one end of the stage to another, invoking a wave of animated laughter throughout the crowd.

Harry Connick Jr. Photo by Nicole Rivelli.

Next up was the Tribute to the L.A. Philharmonic Music Education programs. Wearing multi-colored T-shirts, the West Adams Preparatory High School Orchestra performed beautifully, playing “Heaven’s Valley.” This philanthropic program teaches children to express themselves through musical talent for positive purposes. Overall, more than 120,000 students have benefited from this remarkable program.

Andy Garcia approached the podium to introduce the second Hall of Fame Inductee, his dear friend singer Gloria Estefan, whom he referred to as “The Queen of Latin Pop.” Sporting a mostly silver-colored beard, Garcia told the story of how both their families had fled Castro’s Cuba, finding new lives in Miami. Noting that “America is the land of freedom and opportunity” he quipped, “Nobody is leaving, they are all coming in.”

Describing Gloria as a dynamo, he explained what an extraordinary philanthropist she has been all these years, an integral part of fundraising for victims of natural disasters such as the devastating category 5 hurricane Andrew which struck Miami in 1992. She not only organized distribution of supplies right away, but pulled together a benefit concert which raised substantial funds for victims and those made homeless by the voraciousness of the storm. Highlights of her career shown in an intriguing video richly illustrated her musical accomplishments.

Before performing one of her hit songs, “Conga,” Estefan declared, “I will be playing this song until the day I die!” As the song began, nearly everyone in the audience jumped to their feet, vigorously moving to the beat in every direction. In the back of the Bowl, a large contingent of attendees, all waving large blue florescent sticks to the rhythm of her tunes. In between songs, Gloria mentioned that “Music is the sound track of our lives.” She dedicated the next song to Andy Garcia and “any person who is an immigrant and misses their homeland.” Vibrant in a fire-engine red dress with a deep V-neck, surrounded by her band and the large Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Gloria was certainly easy to spot from way up in the rafters “with the Sherpas” as someone had commented earlier.

Garcia played the congos as Gloria, with her low-cut dress, wiggled her breasts at him and he pretended to swoon and fall off the bench.

A well known, bi-lingual singer, Gloria proved onstage that she could sing equally as well in Spanish and English; she was perfect in both languages, back and forth with smooth-as-silk ease.

“It has been my dream to sing with Harry,” Estefan exclaimed as Connick strode across the stage to her side to sing a duet.

Teasing Connick about his earlier impromptu jig, she asked, “I want to see some of those dance moves you were doing!”

A magical evening drew to a close as thousands swarmed out of the Bowl under the auspices of a vibrant but waning full moon.

Tania Anderson is a beautiful and talented freelance journalist that has a background in the airline industry.

David Afkham. Cover Photo and Inside Photo Courtesy of the LA Phil.

The Coriolan Effect   

Beethoven and Prokofiev at Walt Disney Hall for the LA Philharmonic  

By Gina Hall 

Slightly disorienting, but in no way disappointing, the program for Beethoven and Prokofiev at Walt Disney Hall for the Los Angeles Philharmonic featured significant alterations to the original program.    

First was the change of guest conductors. Dallas Philharmonic’s Jaap Van Zweden was initially slotted and unfortunately was forced to cancel due to illness. Young Dudamel Conducting Fellow, David Afkham, stepped up and energetically took the reins in a performance reminiscent of Dudamel, himself. Afkham is Assistant Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra in addition to being a LA conducting fellow. 

Second came a change in the line-up as it excised Escher’s “Musique pour l’esprit en duil” and, instead, opted to bookend the concert with Beethoven, starting with the “Coriolan Overture, Op. 62.”  Inspired by the play Coriolan (which, in turn, was inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy Coriolanus) the programmatic composition invoked the rise and fall of a Roman General.   

The second piece was Prokofiev’s “Sinfonia concertante in E minor,” showcasing the impressive solo cello player, Peter Stumpf.  For 40 minutes, Stumpf, supported by the orchestra, played the intricate Prokofiev piece without the aid of sheet music.  The passionate performance earned Stumpf an enthusiastic, and well-deserved, standing ovation. 

The concert wrapped up with Beethoven’s iconic “Symphony No. 5.” The familiar four-note motive has become a cliché definition of classical music but is no less thrilling when heard live.  Sitting through the entire 30-minute piece reminds that the piece offers far more than its familiar first movement and is worth revisiting in its entirety either in a live performance, or possibly on the commute from the Walt Disney Concert Hall to the 405 — as this writer found, post-concert, the piece seems perfectly fit for the drive.   

Peter Stumpf. Photo by Mathew Imaging.

Jazzy Jam-Pasadena, which will take place next Saturday, May 14th will benefit after school programs.

Jazzy Jam Pasadena

Education for Empowerment Benefit Concert, May 14th

Helping Children Through Jazz

Jackie Snell-Brown has a vision, She has a vision of a time when things were more innocent for children in the schools, when youth were able to develop life skills in the schools, like wood shop and home economics, skills that illuminate a way to be successful mothers and fathers-skills that are sorely lacking in today’s society, overlooked in today’s new electronic world.

Snell-Brown is one of the co-chairs, along with Councilwoman Jacque Robinson, City of Pasadena, of Jazzy Jam-Pasadena (Education for Empowerment Jazz Festival, through Charity Events LA and Flintridge Center) which will take place next Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Pasadena’s Central Park, 275 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA. 91105. The mission of the Festival, which includes such notables as saxophonist Everette Harp and Evelyn “Champagne” King is to raise money for empowerment for children to get necessary life skills. “My vision from God was to bring all of my resources that I’ve accumulated all these years to give back to my community by providing after school programs that I feel that lack in our school district back to the community,” said Jackie Snell-Brown. “So with that, the vision was to create something that will raise money and inspire people to collaborate and that’s what it’s been, the vision to collaborate resources.” Snell-Brown first had her vision about three years ago, when, as a volunteer for her daughter’s school, she realized her five-year old daughter didn’t have the same kind of school programs she had growing up. “I was just blown away that the city I grew up in didn’t have any art programs, they had no music and there was no computer thing,” she reflected. 

Later, she suggested the idea of doing a jazz concert at the school, and the first Jazzy Jam Pasadena was born. “They had a little patch of grass at that school and I asked them ‘if I can find a bigger patch of grass, would you let me do it?’” The resourceful Snell-Brown found a bigger locale to hold the 1^st Festival. “So they did and I got my local high school to donate their football field to me and before we knew it, we had a concert.” The next year, Jazzy Jam Pasadena was presented at a bigger venue. Bill Dunn, who was associated with the Rose Bowl, and the City of Pasadena, helped her and her staff to present the next Festival at Pasadena’s world famous Rose Bowl. “We did it at the soccer field,” she said. Due to a schedule conflict in the calendar of The Rose Bowl, Snell-Brown and her group were unable to return to the Rose Bowl. That’s when an idea began to form in her head. “I said, let’s just bring jazz back to Central Park, let’s just take it to a whole other level. Because people are so thirsty for the caliber of jazz that we’re doing to come back to Pasadena like they used to do in Old Pasadena. Let’s bring it back to Central Park.” She rallied some local politicians to help with the effort, which includes now co-chair Jacque Robinson, Councilwoman, Pasadena and they were able to make the concert happen in Central Park. “It took a lot of tugging, but we’re giving back to Pasadena, trying to do our own part to help,” said Snell-Brown. “I think (programs like that) need to stay in the schools,” said Snell-Brown. ”I think that it is one of the missing links. I’m not saying that all schools don’t do that, but most schools don’t anymore. We need it. I’d like the opportunity to grow an after-school program. We’ll do homework and we’ll do tutoring, quilting, cooking and sewing.””

In addition to a wonderful cause, the line-up for this year’s festival showcases jazz guitarist Everette Harp, Latin great Johnny Polanco, jazz violinist Karen Briggs,  jazz/R&B sensations Supa Lowry Bros. (trumpeter Christopher Lowery with brother, drummer Wesley), smooth jazz guitarist Freddie Fox featuring R&B queen Evelyn “Champagne” King, Contemporary/Inspirational Fusion Vessel(s) & the Band, Jazzy Jam Band under the direction of Cornelius Mims, Old School R&B/Rock & Roll Pasadena-based Rapid Response, debut of singer/songwriter Kori Withers (daughter of Bill Withers), and the Pasadena City Wide Gospel Choir, directed by Pastor Jonathan DeCuir and Carolyn Hill. Bubba Jackson, on-air personality from KJAZZ 88.1 FM, returns as Master of Ceremonies/Host. 

“Jazzy Jam-Pasadena” will be held Saturday, May 14, from Noon to 8:00 p.m. (gates open at 11:00 a.m.) in Central Park, located at 219 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA. Tickets are $25.00, per person, general lawn seating, and children under 13 are free. VIP Reserved: $500.00, 10 seats, umbrella tables, food and beverages. For additional information, visit the web site, www.jazzyjampasadena.com, and log on to Facebook and become a Fan.

NO picnic baskets, coolers, umbrellas, canopies, backpacks, glass containers, cans, alcoholic beverages, audio/video recorders, print/digital/video cameras, barbecue grills, bicycles or dogs will be allowed entry to the site. Festival-goers with general admission tickets are encouraged to bring blankets, and/or low beach/lawn chairs. Local eateries will provide a diverse array of food and beverages available for purchase.

Support a wonderful cause and event and support the vision of helping kids learn life skills. Visit www.jazzyjampasadena.com. 

Tickets for the event are $25 to $500.        

Jazzy Jam Pasadena

Location: Central Park, 275 S. Raymond Ave,Pasadena, CA 91105.

May 14, 2011. 12PM to 8PM

L-R Gustavo Dudamel, Matthew Rhys, Malcolm McDowell, Orlando Bloom, Anika Noni Rose. Photo by Mathew Imaging.

Movie Star-Crossed Lovers at LA Phil Presentation of Tchaikovsky Classics

By Gina Hall

This time around, Dudamel wasn’t the only high-profile name on the bill. Film actors Orlando Bloom, Malcolm McDowell, Matthew Rhys and Anika Noni Rose joined the show for accompanying readings from the Shakespeare plays, giving each of the pieces context prior to being played. The concert was simulcast in movie theaters in the United States and Canada as part of LA Phil LIVE’s effort to bring classical music to a wider audience.

The show proved to be a popular attraction, with a long line of would-be patrons waiting until moments before the performance for a chance at no-show tickets. When the lights went down on what appeared to be a sold out show, the audience was treated to an intense interpretation of Hamlet’s “To Be, Or Not to Be” soliloquy by Matthew Rhys, which set the tone for the moody Hamlet, Op. 67. Malcolm McDowell then stole the show with his dramatic reading as Prospero introducing romantic piece, The Tempest, Op. 18. Orlando Bloom and Aniki Noni Rose helped draw a close to the performance with their energetic impressions of Romeo and Juliet, which was followed by the iconic fantasy-overture.

Dudamel was as animated and engaging as advertised and his sheer presence, alone, connected the audience to the passion that emanated from the Tchaikovsky pieces. It took only milliseconds after the final notes of Romeo and Juliet for all of Walt Disney Concert Hall to be on its feet applauding the players and director Kim Burton, who was responsible for staging the actor’s scenes creatively around the concert hall.

As the program notes suggest, Tchaikovsky initially resisted writing “program music,” music that tells or suggests a story without employing words. Evidently he was persuaded otherwise and produced eight such pieces. The enthusiastic responses suggest that audiences are thrilled by these stories still.

Lionel Bringuier. Photo by Anastasia Chernyavksy.

By Gina Hall

Youth and sweet melancholy took the stage last weekend at Walt Disney Concert Hall and 20-something stars Lionel Bringuier, conductor, and cellist Gautier Capucon served as the main attraction. The Germanic-influenced pieces of Smetana, Schumann and Dvorak were on the bill and the performances overcame the music’s moodier tones and brought the audience to their feet.

 French-born Bringier commenced the performance with The Moldau, part of a set of six independent symphonic poems dubbed Ma Vlast (My Homeland) from Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. Composed in 1874, by the time it was first performed, Smetana was stricken deaf by syphilis, which would later cause him to go blind and crazy enough to be institutionalized. The first performance of the piece with the Los Angeles Philharmonic was nearly a half century later, in 1922, conducted by the orchestra’s first music director, Walter Henry Rothwell. Smetana’s work incorporates the Czech folk styles of the time and the catchy, wistful Moldau is meant to conjure up images of the Vltava river, which flows through Smetana’s native country.  

Gautier Capucon. Photo by M. Tammaro, Virgin Classics.

The Schumann Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 was the follow-up to the Smetana, and the similar melancholy tone may have something to do with both their composers succumbing to madness shortly after their composition, Schumann dying in an asylum at age 46. Capucon, and his flowing locks, took center stage for what has become one of most popular pieces for cello. At 23 minutes long, the piece is divided into three movements with no pauses, as Schumann abhorred applause breaking up his work. While the Smetana was lively and youthful in tone with an audible hook, the Schumann is a gentler, lyrical piece that gradually drags the listener in to its melancholy. 

The concert wrapped with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 5 in F Major, which took the night full circle, coming back to grandly orchestrated folk music from Dvorak’s native Bohemia. Like the Schumann, three themes are developed over a length of time, 35 minutes to be exact, which is incredible considering it was composed in a mere five weeks in 1875. The grandiose finale to the piece served as a rousing cap to the evening and brought about a standing ovation for Bringier and the orchestra.

Gina Hall.

Gina Hall is a mega-talented journalist who has written for several publications, including many magazines and newspapers. Be sure to view The Scoop LA, www.thescoopla.com. We will have lots more from the gorgeous and multi-talented journalist soon.  　

(L-R)Jarvee Hutcherson, Designer Max, Owner Tutto Italy Connections, James Zuley, Eric "EZ" Zuley, Camden Toy, Pamela Bach Hasselhoff, Designer Frank Rubio, Doug Jones, Dick Michaels, Chairman MMPA, Actor Said Faraj. Photo: PR Photos, Allen Berezousky.

By Betrice Coleman-Sweet

The man of the hour, Eric Zuley, arrived looking very dapper in his custom made suit from sponsors Max Simonian of Tutto Italy Connections and shining with exclusive jewels from Frank Rubio Jewelry from Frank G. Rubio. Eric received a distinguished achievement award from The MMPA for his charitable contributions to the entertainment industry by Jarvee Hutcherson, National President of the MMPA and Dick Michaels, ASYM Chairman. In addition, Mr. Zuley was presented with certificates of acknowledgment from the City and County Officials of Los Angeles which was graciously presented by dear friend Chris Donovan, Director of Golden Globes and Spirit Awards. During the show various celebrity supporters offered astounding congratulatory speeches such as Pamela Bach Hasselhoff, Doug Jones, Prince Ali, Said Faraj, Kirby Britton, and others. Everyone experienced the heartfelt words of Eric’s Dad, James Zuley as he held back tears expressing his pure joy for his son’s achievements. Eric even received a very special recorded message from E! Founder, Larry Namers, sending well wishes and big congrats!

The night was bursting with stellar performances. Rising pop group Misha Rose opened up the ceremony with sweet melodies. Hip Hop/ Golf Giant Lil Jordan was a heavy hitter on stage with his smooth lyrics and dope beats. A major highlight of the night was a slamming performance by young Pop Diva Destenee and her fabulous entourage of band members and dancers. The last performance of this evening of charitable bliss was by young R&B Artist Rele. These young recording artists have a very bright and promising future ahead of them.

There was an absolutely sensational fashion show coordinated by Derrick Hutchinson of Annerick Management with feature designs from our fabulous sponsors.

The Red Carpet was jam-packed with stars shining and cameras flashing with over 50 media outlets including PR Photos, Actors Reporter, Wireimage, NTDTV, Hollywood Broker TV and Diversity News just to name a few. Some of Hollywood’s Hottest and Brightest were in attendance such as Doug Jones (Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Pans Labyrinth), Pamela Bach Hasselhoff, Andrew Garcia (American Idol), Charm Britton (VH1), Ser’Darius Blaine (Footloose), JD Charisma (Actor,Artist), Dave Shelton (Writer, director), Bill Zucker (Writer, Director), Camden Toy (Actor, Producer), Said Faraj (Green Zone), Lil Zane (Hip Hop Artist), Odain Watson (Artist), Ranella ( Artist), Brian Krause (Actor), Kim Lee (International Model, Actress), J Myles (celebrity Stylist) and many more!!!. There were studio and record execs everywhere. Speaker/Actor Irving C. Spivak spoke a very poignant speech at the Gala. He is a rising talent that is overcoming a major obstacle and is proving that with perserverance, all can be accomplished.

Jarvee Hutcherson and Speaker/Actor Irving C. Spivak.

With a refined silent auction with rare industry items and delicious food catered by Moon Kabob with special recognition to Ralph’s for the scrumptious desserts and sponsored by Yerevan Magazine, Rouge Clothing by Donna Melikian, Bebe, Frank Rubio Jewelry, Tutto Italy Connections, WTV Networks and Glymed Plus., It was definitely without a doubt an unforgettable night in tinsel town.!!

For more info or to donate to ASYM, please go to www.ASYMusicians.org.

For more info on Eric Zuley, please go to www.Theezshow.com

Betrice Coleman-Sweet
GME Experts
betrice.csweet@gmeexperts.com
(562) 556-9161