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| ’It Was Written in the Stars - The Life & Music of Harold Arlen’ Producers Ralph Lampkin, Jr. and David Fink will present the Midwest permiere of this special One Night Only concert featuring the music of this legendary composer. It stars South Bend native Randy Kelly in his concert debut and saxophonist Sam Arlen and son of Harold Arlen. "It Was Written In The Stars: The Life and Times of Harold Arlen" (book by Randy and Jason Kelly) will run at the Acorn Theater on Saturday, November 4th. If you were one of the million TV viewers who heard Kathleen McPhee sing "Come Rain or Shine, " and the all-time movie song of the century, "Over the Rainbow, " for her winning performances on the recent season of American Idol, then you heard some of the best and most famous music of the legendary American songwriter Harold Arlen. When Ralph Lampkin, Jr., owner of Lampkin Music Group and LMGKidsource Music/South Bend, Indiana, walked into the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan for the first time, he knew that he had found the perfect place to present South Bend vocalist (and son of SB Councilman Roland Kelly) Randy Kelly for his first solo concert of the music of Harold Arlen. Says David Fink, co-owner of the Acorn, "Harold Arlen has written many songs that are familiar to Americans. We are pleased to bring Michigan a show that highlights his talents as a songwriter, showcases the vocal talents of a performer who lives in the area, and also features this esteemed composer's son." The concert stars Randy Kelly on vocals, accompanied by Musical Director Richard Clawson on piano; Aaron Nichols on percussion and special guest Sam Arlen, son of Harold Arlen and keeper of the Arlen family legacy who has dedicated his life to keeping the music of his very special father alive, on sax. The two-hour concert also features personal, Arlen family archival video/photo footage. The music of the legendary Harold Arlen, who began his lengthy club (the Cotton Club) and movie career in the early 1920's, lives on today, being sung by such high-profile singers as Kathleen McPhee, who stylized Arlen's "Come Rain or Shine, " and the all-time movie song of the century, "Over the Rainbow, " for her winning performances on the recent season of American Idol. Other Arlen favorites include: "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, " "I've Got the World on a String, " "That Old Black Magic, " "Ill Wind, " "Stormy Weather, " "When the Sun Comes Out, " "Get Happy, " and "The Man That Got Away." Randy Kelly, Vocalist: "It Was Written In The Stars" marks the solo concert premiere of Randy Kelly, who grew up with an appreciation of music and the American songbook instilled in him by his father, South Bend Councilman Roland Kelly, lead of the Roland Kelly Barbershop Quartet (1960 - 80). Born and raised in South Bend, the 44-year old baritone attended UND, graduating with a degree in communications and theater. After attending Second City in Chicago, Kelly returned to SB to raise his family. Says Kelly, "I love singing songs that create a mood, tell a story, stand the test of time, and Harold Arlen was the master of that genre. I am honored to be tapped to tell his story and to perform his music." Ralph Lampkin, Jr., Producer, is a member of the Harold Arlen Centennial Committee (along with Sam Arlen, Michael Feinstein, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, and Ann Hampton Callaway), which produced concerts nationwide in 2005-2006, featuring the music of Harold Arlen. Lampkin Music Group, with Ralph Lampkin, Jr. at its head, is a 22-year old producing entity based in South Bend, Indiana that specializes in theatrical presentations and CD production and keeping the flame alive for new songwriters around the country as a songplugger. Lampkin's father produced and worked with talent before leaving the business to raise a family, then returned years later to the art of nightclub producing. So it is in his blood; his passion is presenting talent that he feels should be heard and that has not had the opportunity to appear before a larger audience --such as: jazz singer Spider Saloff, Tony Award Winner Hinton Battle (Choreographer of the new movie "Idlewild" starring Outkast; the upcoming movie "Dreamgirls" and the new Broadway show "Evil Dead-The Musical" opening this November); Drama Desk Winner Karen Mason; Golden Globe Winner Amanda McBroom (The Rose); Oscar/Grammy Winner Tom Snow ("Footloose"); Jeff Winners Alexandra Billings and Hollis Resnik; Steppenwolf actors Amy Morton and Bob Brueler. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |