Friday, November 8, 2024
Adult – $30.00
Senior (62+) – $25.00
Student – $5.00
Kick off the New Jersey Wind Symphony’s 42nd season with a spectacular concert! This evening will feature the incredible saxophonist Chad Smith performing “A Tribute to Rudy Wiedoeft” by Gunther Schuller and a Gershwin Tribute. The program also includes the stirring “Overture to Der Freischutz” by Anton von Weber, the charming “Lonesome Valley Folk Song Suite” by James Stephenson, and the exhilarating “Equus” by Eric Whitacre
Featured Soloist
Chad Smith – Saxophone
Chad’s talent with multiple woodwind instruments has made him sought after as a Broadway, recording and concert performer from New York to Los Angeles. He has been a member of the Broadway orchestras of Wicked, Legally Blonde, Follies and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
He has performed with numerous prestigious orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Mostly Mozart, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, New York Pops, American Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, and Albany Symphony. He has also shared the stage with Paquito D’Rivera, Vince Giordano, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Pizzarelli, The Temptations, Arturo Sandoval, Lady Gaga, Bernadette Peters and Audra McDonald.
Meet The Artist – Chad Smith
We caught up with Mr. Smith in an on-line conversation to get to know more about our soloist. Here is an edited version of our conversation.
Where You Live Now: I split my time between New York and Los Angeles.
Favorite Saying or Motto: Unlock your potential.
Most Memorable Musical Moment: Performing saxophone, clarinet snd bass clarinet for the run of Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera.
Favorite Piece of Music To Play: Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninov
Favorite Piece of Music To Listen To: Romeo and Juliet ballet score by Prokofiev
What is on your music playlist right now? Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Charlie Parker, Art Pepper, Sonny Rollins, Ronnie Cuber, Berlin Philharmonic, Tower of Power, various movie scores.
Hobbies Outside of Music: Grilling, traveling, snorkeling
Most Influential Teacher: Al Gallodoro, virtuoso on saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet.
Three Things Always Found In Your Refrigerator: Pepperoni, Swiss cheese, roasted pepper hummus
Place You Would Most Like To Be Stranded: Hawaii
Piece you are performing with NJWS: I will be performing The Tribute to Rudy Wiedoeft arranged by Gunther Schuller. It’s comprised of 3 of Wiedoeft’s greatest hits from the 1920’s- Valse Erica, Saxarella, Saxophobia. I’ll also be presenting a wonderful medley of Gershwin favorites arranged by Ralph Martino entitled A Gershwin Fantasy.
Favorite Part About the Piece: Both pieces embody a style of music that I was exposed to from my inspirational teachers Ted Hegvik and Al Gallodoro. I will performing the selections on Al’s 1958 gold plated Selmer Mark VI alto sax. True honor to have this instrument!!!!
Program
A Tribute to Rudy Wiedoeft – Gunther Schuller
A Gershwin Tribute
Soloist – Chad Smith – Saxophone
Overture to Der Freischutz – Anton von Weber
Lonesome Valley Folk Song Suite – James Stephenson
Equus- Eric Whitacre
Program Subject To Change
All New Jersey Wind Symphony Subscription Concerts are held at the West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ. West Side Presbyterian Church is fully ADA compliant providing handicap accessible entry to the concert venue as well as bathroom facilities. Important signage and directions are presented in braille.