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Donna Garner's P.E.I. super group brings Big Band to the Homburg TheatreOctober 3, 2012Fall/Winter season of Sobeys LIVE @ the Centre launches October 12 (Charlottetown) - The 2012-13 season of Sobeys LIVE @ the Centre kicks off with a brassy bang, Friday October 12 in the Homburg Theatre of Confederation Centre of the Arts. Launching this spectacular season is celebrated vocalist Donna Garner and the Island Boys Little Big Band, who will bring out the finest tunes of the golden era of swing and jazz music. "Islanders will see the very best players in the province, playing over twenty songs that represent the premium of the Big Band era," says bandleader Donna Garner, a veteran of The Charlottetown Festival. "The music is spectacular, warm and funny, with great lyrics. To combine quality writing with the glorious sound of a big band is absolutely intoxicating to me. It is pure joy to sing with the stellar playing that these boys produce." The all-star orchestra debuted at P.E.I.'s Indian River Festival this past summer with Garner and her band of Island-based players performing their favourite tunes of the 1930's and 40's to a packed house. Selections include classics like ‘My Funny Valentine', ‘How High the Moon' and ‘Sweet Georgia Brown' alongside more modern picks likes ‘Moondance' and ‘Come Fly with Me'. The term ‘super group' gets tossed around in music weeklies fairly quickly these days however Garner's new project is fitting of such hyperbole when taking roll call of the ten distinguished players making up ‘the band'. Bringing the goods are: Max Keenlyside, Alan Dowling, Ian Toms, Rowan Fitzgerald, Doug Millington, Mark Parsons, Dan St. Amand, Deryl Gallant, and Dale and Barrie Sorenson. "These guys are absolute pros and terrific musicians," beams Garner. "They've played with so many groups; the Jive Kings, The Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, the PEI Symphony, to name just a few." When asked how she intends to keep such a gaggle of Island lads in line with this new group Garner laughs heartily, "I won't say anything racy like ‘I know how to handle my men'. I do think that growing up with nine brothers certainly helps, and these guys are very well behaved. Except for Rowan Fitzgerald; he's pure trouble." Tickets start at $20 and are available at the box office at (902) 566-1267, toll free at 1-800-565-0278, or online at www.liveatthecentre.com. Sobeys is the title sponsor for LIVE @ The Centre. Media sponsors are The Guardian, Bell Aliant, Hot 105.5 and Ocean 100. |