The group often brings in guest performers, and this concert was no exception. First there was a professor of Arabic from Oregon who gave the group a sort-of New Years piece and taught them to speak the language. It was nice to be reminded in an artistic way of a culture that has been so maligned.
The other guest artist was the legendary jazz singer Jimmy Scott. Now 77, Scott began his career with Lionel Hampton. Scott suffers from Kallman’s Syndrome, which stunted his growth and kept his voice from developing beyond boyhood. Nevertheless he has had a long and distinguished career and was the favorite singer of such greats as Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Lou Reed, and Frankie Valli. Not a bad fan club. The audience greeted Scott with a standing ovation.
It was a fantastic way to bring in the New Year with energy and hope for the troubled times we live in.
Article comments