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| Dave Bennett, Multi-talented repertoire |
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra collaborated with
Dave Bennett to bring the legendary swing sound of
Benny Goodman and the rock n’ roll sounds of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, and
Johnny Cash to Heinz Hall in the show “From Swing to Rock”this weekend. Dave Bennett, a self-taught
jazz clarinet player, also played the electric guitar, piano, drums and sang, taking everyone on a musical journey with the Grammy winning Pittsburgh Symphony
conducted by Sarah Hicks.
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| Sarah Hicks |
Refection
Dave Bennett with his multi-talented repertoire had the audience
on a musical ride from the 1930's big band swing era to the 1950's rock n' roll
beginnings. Opening with "In the Mood", he played the clarinet in the famous Benny Goodman style. He then slid into a "Swing Medley" adding five more big band favorites with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. “Serenade
in Blue” with the full sounding orchestra was “dreamy” but during most of this set, I
wanted to jump up and do a jitterbug. I joined many in the audience who were tapping
their feet and bobbing to this music.
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| Bennett playing Jerry Lee Lewis Medley with PSO |
Then Dave Bennett transitioned into piano playing Jerry
Lee Lewis with a medley of six songs which ended with “Whole Lot of Shakin Going On”.
He injected energetic key pounding adding his foot to the keys, which is characteristic
of “wild man” Lewis!
It was a fun ride. Bennett even produced that smooth low tone “Elvis
voice” with his guitar riffs which
made the Elvis Medley from “Heart Break Hotel” to “"Blue Suede Shoes" bounce. He then cruised into
“Love Me Tender” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” which was impressive with the added
symphonic sound.
In the second half, there was a Johnny Cash set and Bennett performed his original “Lonesome Highway” . The jazzy "Wichita Lineman" allowed his band to jam and then “Sing Sing Sing” gave us all a little
more big band sound near the conclusion of the show both of which are on Bennett's new CD, Blood Moon.
Sarah Hicks was wonderful to watch as she conducted the
PSO down this musical highway. Bennett and his jazz band with the Pittsburgh Symphony gave us a fantastic whimsical musical journey from swing to rock n’ roll!
I will definitely keep the Pittsburgh Symphony POPS 2017-2018
season in my survival tool box. I am looking forward to Midtown Men, with the four original Broadway singers from Jersey
Boys, continuing the musical journey through
the 60’s with this Grammy winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Spiritual Reflection
And the priest said to them,"Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord" (Judges 18:6)
Other Sources
POPs https://pittsburghsymphony.org/pso_home/web/subscribe-pops-17-18
Wichita Lineman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIRudfrOPfo
POPs https://pittsburghsymphony.org/pso_home/web/subscribe-pops-17-18
Wichita Lineman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIRudfrOPfo
Lonesome Highway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IaYRa01JU
Blue Sued Shoes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qQ3ULjTbwM