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VJC 7 & Special Guest Wanda Houston
August 29, 2020 @ 6:00 pm
POSTPONED TO SUNDAY AUGUST 30th @6 PM
Presented by Brattleboro Music Center
The Brattleboro Music Center (BMC) will be hosting two events on August 28 and 29 at 6:00 PM at the Harris Hill Ski Jump in Brattleboro building off of last summer’s wildly successful “Music under the Stars” series which was named one of Vermont’s Top Ten Summer Events. A throwback to the 1950’s, drive-in concerts are turning out to be this summer’s entertainment salvation, delighting audiences in big cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, and now, Brattleboro!
The first concert will take place Friday, August 28th and will feature the BMC Pops Orchestra under the baton of conductor Zon Eastes. The second event, on August 29th will present seven members of the Vermont Jazz Center (VJC) Big Band with special guest Wanda Houston. Both concerts will start at 6:00 PM.
The VJC 7, featuring vocalist Wanda Houston, is an octet made up of members of the 17-piece Vermont Jazz Center Big Band. It utilizes the “band within a band model” made popular by Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw: a large band pared down to a smaller group that focuses less on arrangements and more on improvisation. The front line of the VJC 7 is comprised of Rob Freeberg (trumpet and Music Director), Michael Zsoldos (tenor & alto saxophones), Sherm Fox (baritone saxophone), and John Wheeler (trombone). The rhythm section is by Eugene Uman (piano), David Picchi (bass) and Steve Rice (drums).
The featured vocalist is Wanda Houston, who has led an active career as an actress, performing on the grand stages of Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Broadway; she toured Europe as the wicked stepsister in “Sisterella” (for which NAACP awarded her “Best Supporting Actress in a Musical”) and has held lead roles in “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Hello Dolly” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” She has shared the stage with Oleta Adams, Patti Austin, Eartha Kitt, Liza Minelli, Pattie Labelle, Joe Cocker, Celine Dion and Barbara Streisand.
Advance reservations are required. CLICK HERE for reservations. You will be assigned a space for your vehicle as well as the adjacent space for outdoor seating. No walk-ins will be allowed.
