Pastorius Park concerts set attendance record

BELL RINGS AT OSAKA: The Walter Bell Trio, led by Chestnut Hill resident Walter Bell (on flute) performed at Osaka, the Japanese restaurant at 8605 Germantown Ave., on August 12. They will play at Osaka again on Monday, September 12, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Owner/chef Harrison Kim said, “We were delighted at the turnout. People in this area obviously like live music. We did 97 ‘covers’ that night.” Bell, who has performed all over the world, recently released his 9th CD, Live at Sedona. For more information, call 215-242-4084. There is free off-street parking in the rear of the restaurant. (Photo by Stephen Cameron)

By MICHAEL CARUSO

The 2005 season of concerts in Chestnut Hill’s Pastorius Park went out in a blaze of glory last Wednesday evening. Not only was the weather glorious, but the broadly diverse and deeply satisfying programming changes introduced several seasons ago bore their fullest fruition this year. The series’ previous record attendance, achieved only last year, was 6,200. The final concert, featuring Luvpark, contributed to a new milestone of approximately 8,000 attendees for the summer season, a record worthy of pride on the part of everyone concerned.

And what a perfect way to end the season! Luvpark proffered some of the most sophisticated yet invigorating music making I heard all summer long in the park. The group — which didn’t quite faithfully follow its printed program of selections or even its precise roster of personnel — performed music that can generally be described as jazz fusion. However, it was characterized by such a distinctive summation of styles and traditions that no single fashion stood out. The end result was astounding.

For instance, guest vocalist JD Walter displayed a talent for scat singing that rivals the best in jazz history. His rhythmic subtlety, his expansive range, his excellent pitch and his ability to manipulate the timbre and tone of his voice as it was projected into the microphone sounded like an entire band backing another singer.

The combination of Ralph Bowen on saxophone and Orrin Evans on electronic piano was equally impressive, particularly when heard over the steady but never intrusive foundation of Donald Edwards on drums. All three musicians, of course, took their solo turns by stepping out of the seamless fabric to strut their stuff with idiosyncratic individuality, yet each was able to return to the fold of sympathetic sounds that provided the undergirding for the others’ flights of fancy.

That flawless blend was never more mesmerizing than in the concert’s opening number, “The Creator Has a Master Plan.” All the separate lines of counterpoint, both vocal and instrumental, were delivered with sensitivity and ingenuity, and everything proceeded with an unhurried yet unflagging feeling of rhythmic direction.

The evening’s volunteer ushers were members of Chestnut Hill’s Stagecrafters, a gesture that was typical of the community-wide support these concerts generated all season long. The local thespians will be presenting Marcel Achard’s mystery-comedy, A Shot in the Dark, Sept. 16 through Oct. 1 at their theater at 8130 Germantown Ave. The season also includes Coyote on a Fence, Bus Stop, For Richer or Poorer …, The Cherry Orchard and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Stagecrafters also offers three Saturday morning events for children plus a Halloween Scary Stories Night. Call 215-247-8881 or visit www.thestagecrafters.org.

LOCAL PERFORMERS

Lyric Fest — the ensemble founded by Chestnut Hill pianist Laura Ward, West Mt. Airy soprano Randi Marrazzo and East Falls mezzo-soprano Suzanne DuPlantis — has announced a four-concert season for 2005-06.

The first of the foursome is entitled “Shall We Dance?” and will be presented on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia at 21st & Walnut Streets. Music by Brahms, Strauss, Bach, Massenet, Falla, Bizet and Bernstein will be sung and played by the local trio, plus guest artists Manon Evrard, Philip Frohnmayer, Larry Indik, Jody Kidwell and Albert Rudolph Lee.

“Simple Gifts — Songs of Joy and Thanksgiving” is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. in the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church at 625 Montgomery Ave., and Sunday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church in center city Philadelphia. The program was created to be experienced and enjoyed by both adults and children. Guest artists include Jesse Blumberg, Lorie Gratis, Jeffrey James Harvey, Cara Latham, Dan May, Julian Rodescu and Jake Miller, with dancers from Hatch Dance Theater.

“Myth and the Muse” is set for Sunday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church and Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. in Haverford College’s Marshall Auditorium. Inspired by the myths of gods, nature and civilization, the muse will take the audience on an intriguing journey through song. Music by Purcell, Debussy, Schubert, Wagner, Sibelius and Grieg will be performed with the help of guest artists Leslie Johnson, Matthew Shaw, Barbara Shirvis, Rebecca Whitlow, Lisa Wilson and Sheryl Woods.

A new addition to the ensemble’s season will be “Biography in Music,” this time focusing on Benjamin Britten. It’s scheduled for Sunday, April 30, at 3 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church.

For more information, visit www.lyricfest.org.