Marin Theatre Company’s Words & Music Series pays tribute to: April 7, 2008

Jazz City New Orleans is presented in celebration of MTC’s current production of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. In a special Words & Music program, award-winning writer, clarinetist, lecturer and photographer Bill Carter explores the roots of this beloved genre through the lens of his recently published book Preservation Hall. In addition, the art form will be explored on film The Story of Jazz featuring interviews, rare clips, vintage footage of the late greats, and commentary as jazz roots are traced back to the 1830’s. The evening will round out with a performance by virtuoso vocalist Kenny Washington and Quartet who will entertain with the classic styles of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, while infusing colors of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway.



Public Info: Reserved tickets are $32, $29 seniors, and $19 students and can be ordered through the Marin Theatre Company Box Office at 415-388-5208 or online at www.marintheatre.org A delicious hot Southern dinner may be purchased in advance for only $20 when ordering tickets and will be served in the lobby starting at 6pm. A complimentary wine tasting will be paired with dinner, and assigned seats are guaranteed for all dinner guests who reserve in advance.

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MILL VALLEY, CA– On Monday, April 7 at 7:30pm, “The Saints Will Go Marching In” at Marin Theatre Company for an evening celebrating the sights, sounds, and cuisine of Jazz City New Orleans. In a special Words & Music program, award-winning writer, clarinetist, lecturer and photographer Bill Carter explores the roots of this beloved genre through the lens of his recently published book Preservation Hall. In addition, the art form will be explored on film The Story of Jazz featuring interviews, rare clips, vintage footage of the late greats, and commentary as jazz roots are traced back to the 1830’s. The evening will round out with a performance by virtuoso vocalist Kenny Washington and Quartet who will entertain with the classic styles of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, while infusing colors of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway. Jazz City New Orleans will be performed at the Boyer Theatre at Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller Avenue in Mill Valley. Reserved tickets are $32, $29 seniors, and $19 students and can be ordered through the Marin Theatre Company Box Office at 415-388-5208 or online at www.marintheatre.org. A delicious hot Southern dinner may be purchased in advance for only $20 when ordering tickets and will be served in the lobby starting at 6pm. A complimentary wine tasting will be paired with dinner, and assigned seats are guaranteed for all dinner guests who reserve in advance.

Basing the lecture from his aptly titled new book, Preservation Hall, Bill Carter will unearth the roots of New Orleans jazz, a turn of the century combination of African American and European musical traditions which ranged from ragtime to blues, leading up to the establishment of Preservation Hall. Enjoy stories, slides and musical riffs from an author who brilliantly captures the essence of this colorful chapter of American history.

New Orleans native Kenny Washington, along with his Quartet, promise to deliver a jaw-dropping performance to pay homage to the great jazz city. With a long-time musical background in gospel and saxophone beginning at a very young age, Washington honed his skills in the Bay Area jazz scene and has even been featured in an off-Broadway production “Fire at Keaton’s Bar and Grill” featuring Elvis Costello and Deborah Harry. His free form approach and four-plus octave range is awe-inspiring as his rapid-fire scat puts saxophone solos to shame, while ballads flow like liquid.

Jazz City New Orleans is presented in celebration of MTC’s current production of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Centered on the culture clash between two now mythic characters – Blanche DuBois, a pretentious, fading relic of the Old South and Stanley Kowalski, a dominating and brutish member of the industrial, urban immigrant class, New Orleans bursts to jazz-infused life supplying the gritty citizens, violent crime and sexual exploits that are synonymous with this intoxicating city.

Words & Music is made possible by a generous gift from Carl G. Berry. The series is produced by Ellie Mednick.

Official Website: http://www.marintheatre.org