SCORE!
Kelsey Grammer presided over a celebration of classics at this year’s Mancini Musicale at Paramount Studios. The dinner concert showcased the talents of dozens of young musicians who participated in The Henry Mancini Institute’s summer program at UCLA.
A variety of Mancini hits was performed and were followed with a tribute to Quincy Jones, as well as additional performances by Dianne Reeves and Herbie Hancock.
Grammer broke out in a little scat as he was welcomed on stage to the music of “Fraiser.” “I feel like Bob Hope now,” he quipped. “I even have my own theme song.”
Grammer became acquainted with Mancini eight years ago when he spoke with the legendary composer about launching his own television series. “On the very first episode of ‘Fraiser,’ one of the call-in guests was Henry Mancini,” he said. “It was a collect call, and I am so happy to repay the kindness and the charges.” That they did, raising $450,000 for the Mancini Institute.
AND THE BAND PLAYED ON
The show goes on at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as the Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrated the music of Duke Ellington Wednesday evening. With the nation continuing to grieve and mourn, many organizations have canceled, scaled back or postponed their cultural and social festivities. The philharmonic considered making such a move, but not for long.
Malibu’s Robert I. Weingarten is passionate about the decision. “We’re going forward. It’s our duty.” The chairman of the Los Angeles Philharmonic says programs like these are vital to keeping the American spirit alive. “It’s part of waging this war,” he maintains. “If we pull in our horns and run, we lose. We need to conduct our lives as they should be conducted, only then can we win.”
For Weingarten, staying the course has never been more important. “I told our board that we always examine the relevance of what we do during times like these. But you must remember that music touches us like no other art form. It celebrates our greatest joys and comforts us in times of sorrow. It is unique among the arts in that it has the power to heal. That is what we can do to bring the community together. We have a responsibility to go on and it is more relevant than ever.” Bravo!