Raissa!

Trust the Wind

by on September 21, 2011

the beauty of music in nature

Trust in the Wind

 

“TRUST THE WIND” IS FIFTH AND FINAL  IN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

JOINING HOST RAISSA KATONA BENNETT ARE “TODAY’S” DAVID FRIEDMAN, CHRISTINA BIANCO, CAROLE J. BUFFORD, SCOTT COULTER, KENNETH GARTMAN, ERIC MICHAEL GILLETT, TANYA MOBERLY, COOKIE STARK, TOM HUBBARD & TERESE GENECCO

“The Concerts at Tudor City Greens” wraps up its fourth season of free outdoor concerts on Wednesday October 5, at 6:30pm. (Rain date: Thursday October 6 at 6:30pm.) “Trust the Wind,” features a mix of prominent performers from Broadway and cabaret, including the singers Eric Michael Gillett, Tanya Moberly, Cookie Stark, and Kenneth Gartman, and the stars of the popular Scott Siegel series “Eleven O’Clock Numbers” — Carole J. Bufford, Christina Bianco, and Scott Coulter. Making a special guest appearance is the quadruple-platinum songwriter David Friedman, from NBC’s “Today Show.”  Also featured are the highly regarded bassist Tom Hubbard, and series regular Terese Genecco on percussion.  The concert’s music directors are Jeff Cubeta and Kenneth Gartman.

Hosted and produced by Broadway and cabaret veteran Raissa Katona Bennett, the summer series played monthly concerts in May, June, and August.  The September concert, “Back to Cool,” was cancelled due to inclement weather. “The Concerts at Tudor City Greens,” whose mission is to build new audiences for live music while encouraging public and private stewardship of New York’s green spaces, is currently hosting a songwriting contest of songs celebrating the roles parks and green spaces play in the lives of New Yorkers.  Original songs of any musical style are being accepted through December 31, 2011.

Serving as judges for the contest are Neil Sedaka, Amanda McBroom, Ann Hampton Callaway, David Friedman, Michael John LaChiusa, and MTV executive Matthew Parillo.  For contest information visit www.raissakatonabennett.com

“Trust the Wind: the Beauty of Music in Nature” takes place on Wednesday October 5 at 6:30pm, at the South Park of Tudor City Greens Park (enter at Tudor City Place, between 41st & 42nd Streets, and 1st & 2nd Avenues). Throughout the series’ fifth season, which is scheduled to kick off in May 2012, eight semifinalist songs from the Songwriting Contest will be performed. A winter concert at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency (TBA) will showcase the contest’s top three songs.  Bennett (Broadway in “Phantom of the Opera” national tours of “Cats” and “Parade”) won the 2010 Bistro and 2011 MAC Award for hosting “The Concerts at Tudor City Greens.”

Tudor City Greens is one of a small number of privately maintained public spaces in New York.  Nestled in the heart of Tudor City, which was built in the late 1920′s, this green oasis in the heart of Midtown was threatened by Harry Helmsley in the 1970′s who planned to build high-rises on the twin parks.  A successful grass roots campaign to rescue the parks was mounted by Tudor City residents.  Today, the Tudor City Association and the non-profit tenants group, Tudor City Greens, www.tudorcitygreens.org continues the tradition of park preservation.

For more information visit: www.raissakatonabennett.com

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By checking this box, participant grants THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS (TCATCG) full, unlimited rights to perform/record/post on website/publicize and promote the submitted song(s) in connection with this Contest, in all media, in all territories and in perpetuity. Authors grant these rights freely, without financial consideration. Ownership of submitted songs is retained by the authors, and all proceeds from the publication, performance and recording of these songs (outside of Contest) may benefit the authors, and be assigned by the authors, without prejudice to the Contest, and no such agreement or sale can supercede this agreement. Authors grant TCATCG the right to fundraise for itself, and other third parties. using the submitted song(s). Authors indemnify TCATCG against any claims arising from the voting, performance, and or publication of these songs, by its representatives or by third parties, in connection with the Contest. Authors agree to make every best effort to appear in the Contest, make themselves available for interviews, and or perform their song (if asked), and that there will be no financial remuneration for such appearances, and that all performances and/or appearances associated with TCATCG and the Contest are voluntary and for the benefit of TCATCG.
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Neil Sedaka
Rock 'n Roll legend, Songwriters Hall of Fame member, 2004 recipient of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Popular Music, Brooklyn native Neil Sedaka has written countless #1 hits in a career spanning six decades.
Amanda McBroom
Concert performer, actress and award-winning songwriter, Amanda McBroom, is the author of the Golden Globe Award-winning song "The Rose," made famous by Bette Midler in the film of the same name. Besides Midler, Leanne Rimes, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte, Betty Buckley, Barbara Cook, Stephanie Mills, Donny Osmond, and the Chipmunks have recorded her songs. With Michele Brourman she wrote the songs for "Land Before Time."
Ann Hampton Callaway
Multiplatinum-selling singer, songwriter and pianist, Callaway has composed songs for television, Broadway, Off-Broadway and numerous major singers, including Barbra Streisand ("Higher Ground," "I've Dreamed of You"), Liza Minnelli, Patti LuPone, Michael Feinstein, Carole King, and her sister Liz Callaway. Her TV themes include The Nanny, Day's End, Cabaret Beat, and The Jim J and Tammy Fay Show.
Michael John LaChiusa
The Tony-nominated Broadway and opera composer/lyricist and librettist responsible for "Hello Again," "Marie Christine," and "See What I Wanna See." In the 1999-2000 season, he had two shows on Broadway, "Marie Christine" and "The Wild Party," both of which received Tony nominations for Best Book and Best Original Score. His early success, "First Lady Suite," was produced by The Public in 1993. He wrote the book, with Graciela Daniele and Jim Lewis, of "Chronicle of a Death Foretold," for whish he received a Tony nomination for Best Book.
David Friedman
For the Today Show, this prolific songwriter writes a new song every month based on stories submitted by viewers for the "Everyone Has a Story" series. He's written hundreds of songs with Kathie Lee Gifford, with whom he co-produced two children's CD's, one of which is now a children's musical "Party Animals." His song "Your Love" went quadruple platinum when Diana Ross recorded it. His multiplatinum selling "Open Your Eyes to Love" was featured on the soundtrack of "the Lizzie McGuire Movie," and Allison Krauss sang his opening song on Disney's "Bambi" sequel.
Matthew Parillo
Vice president of production at MTV Studios, Matthew oversees the production of live events, concerts, reality series and documentaries, including MTV Live, Beach House, Spring Break, The Hills Live, House of Style and the Video Music Awards. In 15 years at the company he's worked on over 350 productions.
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