Rocco Prioletti
Staff Writer
This evening, Chautauquans gather underneath the same firework-speckled stars as brazen bass drums hum along to the nation’s restless heartbeat.
At 8 p.m. in the Amphitheater, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, led by Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz, will join hand-in-hand with guests Aubrey Logan and John Manzari in celebration of 250 years of America for the “Independence Day Celebration.”
“Every year is phenomenal with the soloists that we bring in, and the energy that the community brings to the show — it’s so much fun,” Chafetz said. “Having Audrey Logan and John Manzari with the CSO for this celebration makes it worthy of that 250th birthday.”
Logan is a world-class jazz vocalist and trombonist. The Berklee School of Music graduate won the Jury and Audience awards at the Shure Montreux Jazz Festival Voice Competition.
Manzari is an Ovation Award and Helen Hayes Award-nominated dancer and singer. Manzari was mentored by the multidisciplined performer Maurice Hines.
Chafetz recently worked alongside both Logan and Manzari while conducting the Seattle Symphony for “Let’s Misbehave: The Songs of Cole Porter.” However, even from the first instance of working with them, Chafetz knew Chautauquans must experience their talent firsthand at the Institution.
“Aubrey is a fantastic singer and jazz trombonist — a very true, unique talent,” Chafetz said. “With Manzari, you’re going to see a style of tap-dancing that, I mean, I’ve never seen before.”
The CSO intends to entertain while prompting space for introspection about America’s history.
Chautauqua Institution’s Interim Chief Executive Kyle Keogh stressed the importance behind the holiday’s representation in his Three Taps of the Gavel address.
“America’s 250th anniversary is not just a milestone. It is a chance to think again about who we are, whose stories we tell and how we make room for more people in that story,” Keogh said. “Across the country, people are looking for places where they can slow down, think clearly and be with others in meaningful ways. Chautauqua is one of those places.”
From the triumphant music insistently careening through the vein-like streets of New Orleans, to the theatrical showtunes that curtain New York City’s moonlit skylines — the CSO’s program encapsulates America’s cultural melting pot in musical form.
“There’s something for everybody,” Chafetz said. Audiences can expect to hear an “eclectic mix of patriotic Broadway, jazz, pop and marches.”
Given the performance’s wide-spanning repertoire, audiences of any age can each walk away with something distinctively impactful to them.
“It’s family-friendly,” Chafetz said. “Grandparents, grandkids and parents can sit together and enjoy something very specific about the show. People are going to really enjoy this, and I can’t wait.”
