Even in his 80s David Amram performed – breathtakingly, multiple instruments – at the 2014 Gonzo Fest. He arrived at night and came straight by taxi to the Whiskey Bar. Not one to let the folks down, he was soon onstage. Above Frank Messina performs just before him.
PRESS RELEASE
PETE SEEGER HONORS DAVID AMRAM
WITH “POWER OF SONG AWARD”
Movie Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5v6MeanQ28
NOTE: David Amram lived in Greenwich Village and also was a friend of Hunter’s. Here’s a fascinating trailer with some of the history of his life/friends he worked with in the music world.
On November 9th, Pete Seeger and the Clearwater Foundation will honor David Amram with the “Power of Song Award” at New York’s Symphony Space Theatre – at 6:30 pm the World Film Premier of Lawrence Kraman’s feature documentary DAVID AMRAM: The First 80 Years will be screened; followed at 8:30 pm, with a musical salute to David by Pete Seeger, Cuban jazz saxophone legend Paquito D’Rivera, Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary), Tom Paxton, John Sebastian and Josh White, Jr., bluesman Guy Davis, New Orleans jazz and gospel pianist/singer great Henry Butler, the Clearwater Children’s Choir, and several surprise Special Guests. For tickets, contact Symphony Space Theatre
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7691-clearwater-honors-david-amram
All proceeds go to benefit the Clearwater Foundation’s Educational Programs. . . .
Last weekend in Denver, David Amram celebrated his old friend Woody Guthrie’s Centennial Year by conducting the Colorado Symphony Orchestra in the live recording of his symphony honoring Woody, Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie, plus another of his symphonic pieces, Themes and Variations on Red River Valley. In the second half of the program, he and Josh White, Jr. led the orchestra, regional folk singers, a choir and the audience in singing Woody’s classic songs.
The day before flying to Denver, David completed his acting role in Matthew Barney’s film River of Fundament, based on a short story of his old friend Norman Mailer. His cast mates included Maggie Gyllenhaal, Paul Giamatti, and other old friends of Norman’s, Ellen Burstyn, Larry Holmes, Elaine Stritch and Dick Cavett Today, David arrived in Austin to begin press and media activities, as their symphony orchestra will be presenting the Texas Premier of Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie this weekend.
David will introduce the evening and the orchestra and provide the audience with his memories of Woody and his thoughts and process behind writing the symphony
http://www.austin360.com/news/entertainment/arts-theater/austin-civic-orchestra-celebrates-guthrie-other-am/nSHdr/ https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:32516.11119499943/
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Next week, David will be in London to give a speech about his old buddy and long-time collaborator Jack Kerouac, followed by a performance with his quartet at the British Library for a “VIP Only” Unveiling of Jack Kerouac’s original manuscript `Scroll’ of ON THE ROAD. While in London, he will be giving interviews and live performances for press and media, including the Guardian and BBC4. David will continue his non-stop touring in Europe, Canada and the USA this Fall. David Amram, “Renaissance Man of American Music” (Boston Globe), will be 82 years young on November 17th and no teenager can keep up with him! Jazz pioneer, composer of more than 100 symphonies, conductor of more than 75 of the world’s great orchestras, Father of World Music, composer of dozens of Broadway plays and classic film scores (Manchurian Candidate; Splendor in the Grass; and Pull My Daisy), author, and collaborator and friend of Charlie Parker, Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie, Leonard Bernstein and Leopold Stokowski, Jack Kerouac and Langston Hughes, Archibald MacLeish and Joe Papp, Arthur Miller and Paddy Chayevsly, Elia Kazan and John Frankenheimer, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger, Odetta and Nina Simone, Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo Sandoval, Willie Nelson and Vassar Clements, and Steve Martin and Johnny Depp. He’s a medical miracle, a force of nature, a musical genius and a National Treasure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j69jBSwi-f4 – Dizzy Gillespie & David Amram
Hoping you have the opportunity to see him and meet him in your neighborhood soon. Enjoy! Doug Yeager Manager Douglas A. Yeager Productions, Ltd. 300 West 55th Street New York, New York 10019 Tele: (212) 245-0240 Email: yeagerprod@aol.com Skype: DouglasYeager
