Unfortunately, we are postponing this evening’s concert in response to threatening weather conditions.

Even if it's possible for some folks to navigate through the forecasted snow and icy conditions, we don’t want any of our listeners or musicians to risk the inconvenience of getting stuck or worse, any injury. We’ll be in touch with Classic Pianos to find a suitable date for this performance (sometime after Charlie Porter and I return from touring in mid-March). We'll be happy to honor the tickets purchased for this concert at the rescheduled performance (or any of our other concerts), or find a way to refund the money.

No one is happy about this, but Portland is unprepared for snow, and taking risk averse action seems sensible.

We hope everyone stays warm and healthy and hope to see you all as soon as possible.

Chuck

Among the nearly endless collection of songs in the American Songbook are thousands of wonderful things that, for no discernible reason, fall out of fashion and don’t get heard as often as the “chestnuts” — songs by masterful composers. There are Gershwin and Arlen songs we don’t hear enough, and Harry Warren pieces we know but only hear when we watch an old movie. It’s a treasure trove.

For our opening program of the 2019 season, February 9th at Classic Pianos, we’ve chosen some of our favorites and created new arrangements, showing these songs, some of which you probably know, in a new light.

Dave Berger graciously sent an arrangement of a Harry Warren song from a movie — one I’m sure you all know. He reshaped it into a surprisingly satisfying and unexpected version while magically maintaining its essential qualities. We’ve achieved similarly satisfying results with songs by Gershwin, Gus Arnheim, Julie Styne, Leonard Bernstein, Cy Coleman and other fine composers. A few are perhaps less familiar, but most are new versions of songs you may know but haven’t heard in a while. The creative new arrangements emphasize their enduring qualities and still allow the band members and singers to show how alive and timely this music remains.

Please come and share the evening with us and be surprised to be reminded how a small peek into this American treasury of classic popular song reveals the vastness of its ageless qualities.

Reminder: subscriptions are available for $130 for the whole season (a $50 discount)! This includes access to all 6 concerts of the year, as well as a copy of one of Chuck’s recent works, Concerto Peligroso.

Individual tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students.

Be sure to bring your friends and family along for a few evenings of great, refined music.