POPS & FAMILY SERIES PROUDLY UNDERWRITTEN BY WOOD FAMILY FOUNDATION
SPECIAL GUEST, WALLY MINKO
Saturday, March 2, 2024
7:30 PM | Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center
Gary Lewis, Conductor
Wally Minko, Piano
Gary Meek, Saxophones & Flute
Ernest Tibbs, Bass
David Zarlenga, Drums
World-renowned composer and arranger Wally Minko joins the West Texas Symphony with his jazz quartet for a world premier performance, showcasing the best of your orchestra!
Tickets $33 - $60, Students $12
CLICK TO PURCHASE ONLINE
800-514-3849 or Wagner Noël Box Office W-F, 1-5pm
Scheduled programs and individuals are subject to change. Ticketing is handled by the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center - all ticketing, security, and venue policies apply.
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE...
“For two and a half centuries people have come to the United States from all over the world, bringing their musical traditions with them. The ultimate expressions of this musical melting pot can be found in the wildly diverse, uniquely American styles collectively known as ‘jazz’. These compositions start with elements of Dixieland, Cool Jazz, Irish Jig, Spanish/Flamenco, Viennese Waltz, Modern Classical, Pop R&B, Contemporary Ballad, Polka, Second Line, Calypso, and more. We then infuse them with jazz rhythm and harmony, and finally marry them to the European classical orchestral tradition to produce a collection of new music that is both thought-provoking and lots of fun…and music shows us once again that the future is relentlessly optimistic.
I’m thrilled to be premiering these new compositions with the fantastic West Texas Symphony and an absolutely stellar quartet of some of L.A.’s finest instrumentalists. Hearing your work performed by musicians of this caliber is always a joyous occasion, and this promises to be a very special evening, showcasing everything from tender ballads to rhythmic, high-energy fun.” – Wally Minko
MEET WALLY MINKO...
Grammy-nominated composer/producer/conductor/keyboardist Wally Minko has performed, toured, and recorded with pop stars Barry Manilow, Tom Jones, and Deneice Williams; R & B artists Pink, Toni Braxton, En Vogue, New Edition, and Expose’; jazz superstars Jean-Luc Ponty and Arturo Sandoval, prog-rock superstar Jon Anderson of Yes, Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer Gregg Rolie of Santana and Journey, and many others.
Wally’s compositions and arrangements are commissioned frequently by some of the biggest stars in the business for their recordings (Jon Anderson, Arturo Sandoval, Gianmarco, Debbie Allen, Wayne Bergeron, Gary Grant, Dan Fornero); he also produces countless works for jazz and choral ensembles. Some highlights include:
· Nominated for Grammy – Best Instrumental Arrangement for “A Night In Tunisia” from Arturo Sandoval’s CD “Dear Diz” 2013
· Arranger, pianist, keyboardist – Gianmarco “Versiones” – nominated for Album Of The Year, Latin Grammys
· One of the composers of the original score to Debbie Allen’s “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker”, along with James Ingram, Mariah Carey, Quincy Jones, Arturo Sandoval, and Thump.
· Arranger, keyboardist – Rich Willey Boptism Big Band “Down & Dirty” 2019
· Composer/arranger – orchestral finale for Parkside Church’s 2019 Christmas Concert
· Co-founder & keyboardist, “The Reddcoats” – debut album released 2021
· Producer, Arranger, Conductor and Pianist of Parkside Church’s 2022 Christmas Concert, “Emmanuel”
Wally has been Music Director for countless artists, shows, and productions; teaches privately, and served as the Director of Music and Worship at Calvary Church in West Hills, California for over a decade.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:
