Frank Zappa had a reputation that spanned far and wide across the world of rock for 30 years. His list of credits was huge — composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. And whether you liked rock, jazz, electronic or orchestral, he was there.
In a special concert, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) picks up some of his challenging and high-energy pieces in The ESO Plays Zappa at the Winspear Centre on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Conducted by music director William Eddins, this rare concert also brings in long-time Zappa collaborator Ed Mann. As a percussionist, synthesist, electronic sound designer and vocalist, Mann worked with Zappa from 1977 to 1988.
Also on tap is Ike Willis, a singer, guitarist and Zappa sideman in records such as Joe's Garage, Tinsel Town Rebellion, You Are What You Is and The Man From Utopia.
In a special feature ESO guitarist Robert Walsh and St. Albert electric bass player John Taylor, along with drummer Jamie Cooper and pianist Andrew Glover showcase their rock/jazz sensibilities.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $71. Call 780-428-1414 or purchase online at www.edmontonsymphony.com.
Also this coming Tuesday, Mark Ammar, host of Mark Ammar's Tuesday Open Stage, plans to party hard, celebrating his seventh year as an open jam blues host at LB's Pub.
Special guests are his son, guitarist/vocalist Zeek Ammar, bass/guitarist Ralph Pretz and sax player Jonny “Reverend” McCormack.
“Zeek brings a carefree style to the stage and I enjoy his complementary style on guitar,” says Ammar.
Another welcome addition is Pretz, a regular feature at the blues open stage. “He dabbles in a range from blues to rock to fusion to jazz.”
And McCormack, a St. Albert homegrown talent, has been going strong since the 1990s. “He's one of the most famous sax players in these parts. He is renowned on the jazz scene and hopefully he has hit the jackpot on the music scene with Vancouver's Rude City Riot ska band.”
The party starts at 9 p.m. at LB's Pub. There is no cover charge.
The Mill Creek Colliery Band, the area's most distinctive brass band, presents its third concert of the season on Sunday, March 13 at McDougall United Church.
Of Men and Mountains is a salute to mountains and the people who live on them. Several of their selections include Sound of Music, Appalachian Mountain Folk Song Suite and The Blue Danube.
Cam Martin of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band is a featured soloist on soprano cornet for High Fidelity.
In addition to the 28-piece British-style brass band, special guests include the internationally renowned Edmonton Swiss Men's Choir with director Elizabeth Anderson, who doubles as music director at Vital Grandin Elementary School.
The choir performs in several languages with selections such as Musica, du schöste Kunst and Sonntagmorgen in den Bergen.
The concert starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $14 to $18 at the door.
