Karen Akers: Time Flies

Home , Karen Akers, Rob Fisher (conductor)

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Friday Evening, February 1, 2013, at 7:30 and 9:30

Don Rebic , Musical Director and Piano Sean Harkness , Guitar Tom Hubbard , Bass

Richard Niles , Director

This evening’s program is approximately 75 minutes long and will be performed without intermission.

Major support for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook is provided by Fisher Brothers, In Memory of Richard L. Fisher; and Amy & Joseph Perella. Additional corporate support is provided by Bank of America and PVH Corp. Wine generously donated by William Hill Estate Winery, Official Wine of Lincoln Center. This performance is made possible in part by the Josie Robertson Fund for Lincoln Center.

Steinway Piano Please make certain your cellular phone, pager, or watch alarm is switched off. The Allen Room Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall 02-01 Akers:GP 1/17/13 12:07 PM Page 2

Lincoln Center

Additional support for Lincoln Center’s American Upcoming American Songbook Events Songbook is provided by The DuBose and Dorothy in The Allen Room : Heyward Memorial Fund, The Shubert Foundation, TopPatch, Inc. , Jill and Irwin Cohen, The G & A Saturday Evening, February 2, at 8:30 Foundation, Inc., Great Performers Circle, Cécile McLorin Salvant Chairman’s Council, and Friends of Lincoln Center. Wednesday Evening, February 6, at 8:30 Public support is provided by the New York State Ring Them Bells! Rob Fisher Celebrates Council on the Arts. Kander & Ebb * featuring Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley Artist catering is provided by Zabar’s and with special guests Joel Grey and Chita Rivera Zabars.com . Thursday Evening, February 7, at 8:30 MetLife is the National Sponsor of Lincoln Center . Bonnie “Prince” Billy

Movado is an Official Sponsor of Lincoln Center . Saturday Evening, February 9, at 8:30 Stephanie Blythe: We’ll Meet Again—The Songs United Airlines is the Official Airline of Lincoln of Kate Smith * Center . Wednesday Evening, February 13, at 8:30 WABC-TV is the Official Broadcast Partner of Sondre Lerche Lincoln Center . Thursday Evening, February 14, at 8:30 William Hill Estate Winery is the Official Wine of Mavis Staples Lincoln Center . Friday Evening, February 15, at 7:30 and 9:30 Kristin Chenoweth *

Saturday Evening, February 16, at 8:30 Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman

*Limited availability

The Allen Room is located in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.

For tickets, call (212) 721-6500 or visit AmericanSongbook.org. Call the Lincoln Center Info Request Line at (212) 875-5766 or visit AmericanSongbook.org for complete program information.

We would like to remind you that the sound of coughing and rustling paper might distract the performers and your fellow audience members.

In consideration of the performing artists and members of the audience, those who must leave before the end of the performance are asked to do so between pieces. The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment are not allowed in the building. 02-01 Akers:GP 1/17/13 12:07 PM Page 3

Lincoln Center

A Note from the Artist by Karen Akers

What a thrill to sing in the spectacular Allen Room! When I was invited to take part in Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series, I realized that I’ve never thought of our song - book as a realm peopled only by the great composers and lyricists of the first half of the 20th century. Our classic standards are wonderful, of course. I love singing the likes of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jule Styne, and Rodgers and Hart. But I don’t feel the American songbook should be an exclusive medium of the past, to be revered and revived —but a living , breathing expression of all the joys and pains and conundrums we live with today.

Together with my director, Richard Niles , and my musical director, Don Rebic, both of whose help is invaluable, I wanted to create an eclectic show —a show that would include contemporary composers and lyricists, as well as more classic choices. So in addition to Sondheim, who reigns supreme in any musical realm, I’ve included songs by Shel Silverstein, John Bucchino, Stephen Lawrence and Mark Saltzman, Rob Hyman and Cyndi Lauper, and Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. My only regret is that time limitations pre - vented me from including songs by Craig Carnelia, Jason Robert Brown, and Iris Rainer Dart and Mike Stoller. Of course, I also had to make peace with the fact that the American songbook isn’t written in French!

Part of what excites me about exploring the work of newer songwriters is the fact that they are not limited by the conventions of the past. They feel free to write about subjects and issues that may have been with us all along but which are only now openly recog - nized and discussed. We seem to have lost a lot in the realm of real communication, besotted as we are with our new technologies, but as a singer, I feel that the best songs actually help restore some of what we’ve lost and remind us of how it feels to be human.

All the songs I’ve chosen speak to me in different ways, some moving, some humorous. In my mind, they are all related to the passage of time. Now that my two sons are happily married men in their 30s, both with wives I adore, and I am a wishful grandmother-in-waiting, I am increasingly conscious of time and how rapidly it’s passing. If there was ever a time for me to take chances, it’s now. Rather than simply revisit the tried and true, which can also be a joyful experience, I want to do my part to expand our songbook. So I offer this show as a toast from a grateful singer to the great composers and lyricists of the past who continue to inspire us, and to the songwriters of the future who will keep the American songbook alive and growing for generations to come.

Lincoln Center

Karen Akers: On Stage at Wolf Trap . The Meet the Artists latter is available on DVD.

Her film roles include the femme fatale in Mike Nichols’s Heartburn opposite Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, Woody Allen’s O C

E The Purple Rose of Cairo , and Vibes . Ms. R

G Akers’s CDs include If We Only Have Love , L

U Feels Like Home , Live from Rainbow & A

P Karen Akers Stars , Under Paris Skies , Just Imagine , Karen Akers is one of America’s more Unchained Melodies , In a Very Unusual arresting and successful concert and Way , Presenting Karen Akers , Like It Was , cabaret stars. She is the recipient of the and Simply Styne (DRG Records). 2005 New York Nightlife Award for Outstanding Female Cabaret Vocalist in a Major Engagement, as well as the 2009 Nightlife Legend Award. Ms. Akers has appeared in many prestigious venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as New York’s Don Rebic premier nightspots, such as Café Carlyle and the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel. Don Rebic has been a composer, musical She has taken her music to the south of director, and pianist for more than 30 years. France, Russia, Barcelona’s Liceu Opera He began his career as the musical director House, and more recently to the Crazy for the 1977 production of Jesus Christ Coqs in London. Superstar on Broadway. He conducted the national companies of Dancin’ and Joseph Concert and cabaret performances are only and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat a part of Ms. Akers’s multifaceted career, and was the associate conductor of the which encompasses theater, television, North American tour of Kiss of the Spider film, and recordings. She appeared at the Woman starring Chita Rivera. Martin Beck Theatre on Broadway as one of the original stars of the Tony Mr. Rebic has served as musical director Award–winning musical Grand Hotel , and pianist for Karen Akers, Mary Cleere directed by Tommy Tune. She made her Haran, Peggy Lee, Leslie Uggams, Barbara debut on the Great White Way in the origi - Cook, Maureen McGovern, Tovah Feld- nal production of Nine (also directed by shuh, and Morgana King. He is the artistic Tune), receiving a Tony nomination and director of the Singers Forum, New York’s winning a Theatre World Award. premier vocal academy, and has served on the board of governors for the New York Ms. Akers’s television appearances include Chapter of the National Academy of Cheers , The Tonight Show , The Equalizer , Television Arts and Sciences. Hart to Hart , The Merv Griffin Show , and the PBS specials Ellington: The Music As a composer, he has written music for an Lives On and Ira Gershwin at 100: A off-off-Broadway show and scored docu - Celebration at Carnegie Hall . In addition, mentaries for HBO, and he wrote a Ms. Akers had two of her own PBS televi - Christmas song performed by Michael sion specials, Presenting Karen Akers and Feinstein. Mr. Rebic attended Oberlin 02-01 Akers:GP 1/17/13 12:07 PM Page 5

Lincoln Center

College and has a performance degree Dannie Richmond , and Ron Affif , among from Indiana University. others. Mr. Hubbard has accompanied a long list of singers including Joe Williams, Mose Allison, Freddy Cole, Chris Connor, Sheila Jordan, Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Maye , and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

Richard Niles Sean Harkness Richard Niles (director) is delighted to be Guitarist Sean Harkness is a first-call side - working again with his longtime friend and man who complements an exhaustive collaborator Karen Akers. He directed many client list of singers, musicians, and theater of her shows at the Algonquin’s Oak Room productions nationally and internationally. and is honored to be a part of Lincoln He performs, composes, and records his Center’s American Songbook series. Mr. Vermont-found signature style here in New Niles began his theater career as an actor, York City. To date Mr. Harkness has per - appearing on Broadway in And Miss formed in almost every venue with most of Reardon Drinks a Little with Julie Harris the city’s best artists; released original and Estelle Parsons and Don’t Call Back music on Windham Hill Records (BMG/ with Arlene Francis. Other New York cred - RCA/Sony), Rinken Records (Japan), ODEG its include the Roundabout Theatre ( You (Canada), and independently online and in Never Can Tel l), Manhattan Theatre Club stores; composed music for television and (Christopher Durang’s Daryl and Carol and film; subbed on Broadway; extensively Kenny and Jenny ), and Circle Repertory toured North and South America, Europe, Company (Innocent Thoughts and Harm- the Caribbean, and Japan; won a Back- less Intentions ). He has appeared in numer - stage Bistro Award and two MAC Awards; ous productions at regional theaters across and had a Walden 12-string guitar named the country, including the Williamstown after him and appeared on the covers of Theatre Festival, the Cincinnati Playhouse Walden’s 2011 and 2012 catalogs. Mr. in the Park, and South Coast Repertory. As Harkness hosts a monthly show called a director, he mounted his own adaptation Duos at the Metropolitan Room and pro - of Ostrovsky’s Diary of a Scoundrel (Susan vides a house concert series for personal - Block Theatre) and Dorchester County ized, private, in-home performances. Learn (Perry Street Theatre). more at seanharkness.com . Mr. Niles’s training includes NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (bachelor of fine arts degree in acting), Brooklyn College (master of fine arts degree in directing) , and the CUNY Graduate Center (doctorate in the - ater ). He is currently professor of theater at Marymount Manhattan College , where he Tom Hubbard teaches acting and directing. He continues Bassist Tom Hubbard lives and works in New to work closely with cabaret artists such as York City. He has performed with instrumen - Karen Akers on new shows featuring mate - talists Kenny Barron, Jay McShann, Charlie rial from the American songbook. Rouse, Dewey Redman, Beaver Harris, 02-01 Akers:GP 1/17/13 12:07 PM Page 6

Lincoln Center

American Songbook Lincoln Center for the In 1998, Lincoln Center launched American Performing Arts, Inc. Songbook, dedicated to the celebration of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts popular American song. Designed to high - (LCPA) serves three primary roles: presen - light and affirm the creative mastery of ter of artistic programming, national leader America’s songwriters from their emer - in arts and education and community rela - gence at the turn of the 19th century up tions, and manager of the Lincoln Center through the present, American Songbook campus. A presenter of more than 3,000 spans all styles and genres , from the form’s free and ticketed events, performances, early roots in Tin Pan Alley and Broadway to tours, and educational activities annually, the eclecticism of today’s singer-songwrit ers. LCPA offers 15 programs, series, and fes - American Songbook also showcases the tivals including American Songbook , Great outstanding interpreters of popular song, Performers , Lincoln Center Festival , including established and emerging con - Lincoln Center Out of Doors , Midsummer cert, cabaret, theater, and songwriter per - Night Swing , the Mostly Mozart Festival , formers. American Songbook presenta - and the White Light Festival, as well as the tions include major concert programs in Emmy Award –winning Live From Lincoln venues around Lincoln Center. Center , which airs nationally on PBS. As manager of the Lincoln Center campus, LCPA provides support and services for the Lincoln Center complex and the 11 res - ident organizations. In addition, LCPA led a $1.2 billion campus renovation, completed in October 2012.

Lincoln Center Programming Department Jane Moss, Ehrenkranz Artistic Director Hanako Yamaguchi, Director, Music Programming Jon Nakagawa, Director, Contemporary Programming Lisa Takemoto, Production Manager Bill Bragin, Director, Public Programming Charles Cermele, Producer, Contemporary Programming Kate Monaghan, Associate Director, Programming Jill Sternheimer, Producer, Public Programming Mauricio Lomelin, Associate Producer, Contemporary Programming Nicole Cotton, Production Coordinator Regina Grande, Assistant to the Artistic Director Julia Lin, Programming Associate Ann Crews Melton, House Program Coordinator

For American Songbook Matt Berman, Lighting Design Scott Stauffer, Sound Design Jessica Barrios, Wardrobe Assistant 02-01 Akers:GP 1/17/13 12:07 PM Page 7

UPCOMING EVENTS JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER’S FREDERICK P. R OSE HALL

FEBRUARY 2013 IRENE DIAMOND EDUCATION CENTER Dizzy and Bird Festival ROSE THEATER Listening Party February 28, 7pm Family Concert: What is Latin Jazz? This interview series invites audiences to listen to new February 9, 1pm & 3pm jazz albums, while meeting and hearing from the artists Latin Jazz fuses intoxicating Afro-Caribbean and Pan- who recorded them. American rhythms with the elevated harmonic structure Free and open to the public. and instrumental virtuosity of jazz. Drummer, percus- sionist, and educator Bobby Sanabria will lead The Multiverse Big Band in introducing families to the MARCH 2013 idiom’s concepts and historical timeline. Sanabria’s celebrity in Latin jazz is renowned, having shared the ROSE THEATER stage over the years with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Chico O’Farrill, and the Godfather of Dizzy and Bird Festival Afro-Cuban Jazz, Mario Bauzá. This South Bronx native Celebrating Dizzy Gillespie and GRAMMY® Award nominee will have audiences of March 8–9, 8pm all ages tapping their feet and moving to the beat. No living trumpet player can claim a closer relation- Free pre-concert activities at 12:15pm and 2:15pm ship to musician-teacher-humanitarian Dizzy Gillespie— personally or musically—than Jon Faddis, who met his Blood on the Fields friend and mentor at age 15. A veteran of the Thad February 21–23, 8pm Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, and former musical director Eighteen years after its premiere at Alice Tully Hall, of Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra, Faddis will Wynton Marsalis’ Pulitzer-winning epic jazz oratorio direct The Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York on slavery and freedom receives its Rose Theater debut through new transcriptions from Gillespie’s path- in its entirety with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra breaking 1940s big band, repertoire from the spectacular with Wynton Marsalis. A high-level conversation with 1950s edition that toured the Middle East and South the history of jazz, with a superb vernacular libretto, America under the auspices of the State Department, and “Blood on the Fields” remains one of Marsalis’ greatest lead a quintet through selected gems from Gillespie’s works, reinforcing his dictum that “all jazz is modern.” consistently superb small group recordings. Rising star baritone Gregory Porter, scat-master Kenny Free pre-concert festival nightly at 6:30pm. Washington, and the great contralto Paula West reprise Free pre-concert discussion nightly at 7pm. the vocal roles, Eli Bishop is featured on violin, and spe- THE ALLEN ROOM cial guest Eric Reed, an original Blood on the Fields (1994) performer, joins on piano. Paquito D’Rivera’s Free pre-concert discussion nightly at 7pm. Charlie Parker with Strings March 8–9 at 7:30pm & 9:30pm THE ALLEN ROOM All tributaries of contemporary jazz expression lead back to alto saxophone giant Charlie “Bird” Parker Joe Lovano Us Five (1920–1955), whose unrivaled improvisational bril- February 22–23, 7:30pm & 9:30pm liance mesmerizes everyone who hears him. Parker’s Ever the musical renaissance man, Joe Lovano is as profound impact on the course of music increased even comfortable with “inside approaches,” which he treats further after his 1950 session Charlie Parker with with a spirit of freedom, as with the speculative side of Strings, on which, framed by romantic string arrange- musical production. Both attitudes will come forth as ments, he soared through a suite of standards (it remains Lovano presents his ensemble Us Five, which frames his most popular recording to date). On this program, his brilliant playing with an orchestral array of sonic the effervescent Cuban reedist-arranger-composer color and rhythms, and features GRAMMY®-winner Paquito D’Rivera will place his lush sound and virtuosic Esperanza Spalding on bass, James Weidman on sensibility at the service of this repertoire, imparting a piano, Otis Brown III on drums, and Francisco Mela Latin twist to the proceedings. A few pieces from on drums. Special guest Lionel Loueke joins the Parker’s recordings with Machito, Chico O’Farrill, and group on guitar. other Latin artists will be revisited as well. Free pre-concert festival nightly at 6:30pm.

Except where noted, all venues are located in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, Time Warner Center, 5th floor Tickets: $10-$120 To purchase tickets call CenterCharge: 212-721-6500 or visit: jalc.org. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office is located on Broadway at 60th Street, Ground Floor. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 12pm-6pm. For groups of 15 or more: 212-258-9875 or jalc.org/events/group-sales. For more information about our education programs, visit jalc.org/learn. For Swing University and WeBop enrollment: 212-258-9922. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Foursquare. 02-01 Akers:GP 1/17/13 12:07 PM Page 8

UPCOMING EVENTS

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER’S FREDERICK P. R OSE HALL

FEBRUARY 2013 Nilson Mata’s Black Orpheus featuring Leny Andrade CD Release René Marie Quartet with Klaus Mueller, Fernando Saci, Alexandre Kautz, with Elias Bailey, Quentin Baxter, and Kevin Bales and Steve Wilson January 31–February 3 February 13–17 7:30pm & 9:30pm, plus 11:30pm on Friday 7:30pm & 9:30pm Late Night Session: Luca Santaniello Quartet Roswell Rudd Quartet with Sunny Kim, Ken Filiano, and Lafayette Harris Nellie Mckay and The Amigos Band: February 4 A Grand Experiment of Song 7:30pm & 9:30pm with Justin Poindexter, Sam Reider, and Eddie Barbash February 18 Gerald Clayton Trio 7:30pm & 9:30pm with Joseph Sanders and Justin Brown Toshiko Akiyoshi–Lew Tabackin Jazz Quartet February 5 With Paul Gill and Aaron Kimmel 7:30pm & 9:30pm February 19 February 6 7:30pm & 9:30pm 8pm & 10pm Late Night Session: Emmet Cohen Trio Late Night Session: Benny Benack III Quartet Tia Fuller Quartet with Special Guest Sean Jones Mulgrew Miller & Wingspan Featuring special guest trumpeter Sean Jones with Steve Nelson, Antonio Hart, Duane Eubanks, With Shamie Royston, piano & keyboard; Mimi Jones, and Rodney Green acoustic bass; EJ Strickland, drums (Feb. 21–22 only); February 7–10 Rudy Royston, drums (Feb. 23–24 only) 7:30pm & 9:30pm, plus 11:30pm on Friday February 21–24 Late Night Session: Benny Benack III Quartet 7:30pm & 9:30pm Late Night Session: Emmet Cohen Trio Molly Johnson (Note: No Late Night Session on February 24) with Seamus Blake, Robi Botos, Mike Downes, and Larnell Lewis Julliard Jazz Ensemble February 11 February 25 7:30pm & 9:30pm 7:30pm & 9:30pm

Gregoire Maret The Music of Dexter Gordon with Federico Pena, Ben Williams, and Clarence Penn Celebrating 90 Years February 12 with George Cables, Victor Lewis, Joe Locke, 7:30pm & 9:30pm Jerry Weldon, Walter Blanding, Brandon Lee, and Late Night Session: Luca Santaniello Quartet Special Guests February 26–27 7:30pm & 9:30pm Late Night Session: Bruce Harris Quintet Tune in for our live webcasts brought to you from Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola. View the full schedule at jalc.org/live. In deference to the artists, patrons of Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola are encouraged to keep conversations to a whisper during the performance. Artists and schedule subject to change. Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola is located in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, Time Warner Center, 5th floor New York. Reservations: 212-258-9595/9795 or jalc.org/dizzys; Group Reservations: 212-258-9580 or jalc.org/dizzys/group-sales. Nightly Artist sets at 7:30pm & 9:30pm plus an 11:30pm set on Fridays. Late Night Session sets Tuesday through Saturday, after the last Artist set. Cover Charge: $20–40. Special rates for students with valid student ID. Full dinner available at each set. Rose Theater and The Allen Room concert attendees, present your ticket stub to get 50% off the late-night cover charge at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola Fridays and Saturdays. Jazz at Lincoln Center merchandise is now available at the concession stands during performances in Rose Theater and The Allen Room. Items also available in Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola during evening operating hours. Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola gift cards now available. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Foursquare.