“We were born upside-down...”
Donny McCaslin has been in touch with details of his latest collaboration, which takes place in Charlotte next month: The world premiere of BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY, The Music of David Bowie, featuring guest vocalist John Cameron Mitchell.
Aside from Donny, others involved with the project that Bowie fans will already be familiar with include Gail Ann Dorsey, Jason Lindner, Maria Schneider and Tony Visconti.
A world tour of BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY is planned in 2023–2024.
Keep reading for further details and go here for the complete line-up and ticket links.
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WORLD PREMIERE ★ BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY ★ THE MUSIC OF DAVID BOWIE
Artistic Director and Former Bowie Collaborator Donny McCaslin
With Guest Artist JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL
Charlotte International Arts Festival Charlotte, NC September 16 & 17, 2022
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Charlotte, NC – Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts is thrilled to announce the world premiere of BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY, The Music of David Bowie, with featured guest vocalist John Cameron Mitchell, taking place on Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17 on the stage of the Belk Theater as part of the inaugural Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF). A collaboration between BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY Artistic Director Donny McCaslin and The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, led by Conductor Tim Davies, the concert is a unique and singular interpretation of the music of Blackstar, Bowie’s final musical masterpiece, which was released two days before his untimely death. The Belk Theater is located at 130 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina.
For tickets, please visit charlotteartsfest.com or call 704-372-1000. Ticket prices start at $39.50.
Propelled by a 65-piece orchestra, BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY features musical arrangements by world renowned orchestrators Jules Buckley, Tim Davies, Vince Mendoza, Maria Schneider, Jamshied Sharifi, Tony Visconti, Michael Dudley Jr., and Vellu Halkosalmi. Act I showcases the first ever live performance of the entire Blackstar album with full symphony orchestra. Act II celebrates Bowie’s beloved musical catalogue with touchstone Bowie compositions including “Heroes,” “Life on Mars,” “Suffragette City,” “Space Oddity,” and more that serve as a reminder of the pervasiveness of Bowie’s presence in pop culture.
Donny McCaslin was Bowie’s musical partner and saxophone player on the original Blackstar recording. He conceived the idea to re-imagine Bowie’s work for full symphonic orchestra, performing along with his jazz quartet and two vocalists. “I love this music, and it is close to my heart,” McCaslin declared. “David refused to stay in one musical ‘lane’ during his long career, playing with different musical styles and creating a musical language all his own. That principle is at work in this program.” A world tour of BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY is planned in 2023–2024.
Featured vocalist John Cameron Mitchell said, “I’m thrilled to work with Bowie’s brilliant collaborators to help honor the artist that made me what I am today.”
BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY will appear as part of Blumenthal’s inaugural Charlotte International Arts Festival, running from September 16 through October 2, a 17-day event devoted to bringing to Charlotte exceptional artists and entertainment from around the world, as well as showcasing local international cultures and traditions. “Now is the perfect time to celebrate creativity, cultural traditions, and community,” said Tom Gabbard, Blumenthal President and CEO. “The arts foster greater understanding and respect.”
“The creatives from BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY are delighted to be working with Tom Gabbard and the team at Blumenthal Performing Arts to be part of the inaugural Charlotte International Arts Festival,” said Stephen Hendel, Executive Producer of BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY.
Photographs by Jimmy King
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