David Benoit’s Asia America Symphony

Those of us who work weeknights are particularly selective about where we invest ourselves on  precious Saturday and Sunday nights.  This past Saturday I hit pay dirt at the opening concert of the 2010 season of David Benoit’s Asia America Symphony.  www.asiaamericasymphony.org.  Yep – our Linus & Lucy Theme pianist  is also a reknown conductor and musical director.

Seated in the intimate Norris Theater Pavillion, the audience tittered with anticipation as we waited for Ben Hong, the remarkable LA Philharmonic Cellist (who provided the music for Jamie Fox’s character in the film, The Soloist). It seemed as though a gust of fairy dust attended Mr. Hong as he took the stage and magically filled up the intimate Norris Pavillion with Bach. David stepped up to the gleaming grand piano and the magic doubled.

As is the aim of the Asia America Symphony, we were treated to a marriage of classical and jazz as David’s trio took turns with members of the Symphony.  Then together they all played a breathtaking rendition of the piece that was played at President Obama’s innauguration Air and Simple Gifts. And we were all bouncing a bit in our seats as they took on the classic Dave Brubeck Blue Rondo a la Turk.

The 2010 season finale will find our own Dave Koz on stage with the full Symphony in a tribute to the music of the movies.

On March 20th,  the electric violin virtuoso, Meg Okura will join the David Benoit Trio.   Near and dear to my own heart, on April 18th of this year, David’s Asia America Youth Orchestra performs.

If you come to  one of the concerts, please say hello; I’ll be at every one.