The Jazz Legacy Project (JLP) returned to a sold-out Festival Hall Thursday, Aug. 9, to present “Cole Porter: Jazz in Technicolor,” celebrating the legendary American composer and songwriter.
Led by drummer and event narrator Justin Varnes, JLP also features saxophonist John Sandfort, bassist Kevin Smith, and, in his Festival Hall debut, pianist Jonah Pierre. American jazz vocalist Sachal Vasandani, who released two albums last year – “Best Life Now–Acoustic Sessions” and “Midnight Shelter and Still Life” – accompanied the quartet.
Also joining JLP on stage was Festival Hall Executive Director and jazz vocalist Nicole Chillemi, who sang “At Long Last Love.”
Porter was born June 9, 1891, and died October 15, 1964, with much of his success coming on Broadway and in Hollywood films.
Porter’s family was very wealthy, and despite their wishes that he study law, he chose music and began finding success by the 1920s. By 1930, he was recognized as a major Broadway musical songwriter, but unlike most composers of the day, Porter wrote both music and lyrics.
Seriously injured in a 1937 horseback riding accident, Porter was left disabled and in constant pain, but he continued to work. His shows in the early ‘40s did not enjoy the same success; however, in 1948, his “Kiss Me, Kate” on Broadway won the inaugural Tony Award for Best Musical.
The Jazz Legacy Project will return to Festival Hall on Oct. 15 for its fourth and final presentation this year, Weather Report: Fusion Dynasty. Featuring some of jazz’s brightest stars, such as Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, and Joe Zawinul, Weather Report set the gold standard for fusion bands.
Their hits “Birdland,” “Teen Town," and “A Remark You Made” catapulted Weather Report to pop stardom. For tickets and information, visit festivalhallga.com