Sing & Swing Program

A M essage for our Friends

BIG ARTS, now in its fifth decade, was created by and for the community. Time has not diminished our devotion to a fundamental purpose and principle: To provide a warm and welcoming place that celebrates the arts, and the artist in all of us, and helps remind us of our shared humanity.

Throughout the recent rough years of closures and cancellations, we never closed our doors. We flung them open to host several free gatherings, complete with entertainment, food and beverages, and to offer a space in which we can revel in the joy of being together again.

Now, a full season of great lectures, workshops, films, fine arts exhibits and performing artists is back! It is deeply rewarding for us to see the hallways, galleries, seats and classrooms filled with new and old friends enjoying all that BIG ARTS offers.

Our commitment to community extends to the stewardship of our donors’ dollars. While our foundation is strong, we took a financial “hit” during the canceled seasons. With a brand-new season up and running, we look to our loyal friends and patrons to help us weather the changes and continue to flourish.

Thank you for including BIG ARTS in your charitable giving. Every dollar is deeply appreciated. Your support signals your belief in our mission and ensures that BIG ARTS continues to be a vibrant community partner in Sanibel and Captiva’s enduring quality of life – now and for decades

Lee Ellen Harder Executive Director

SING & SWING

OUR AMERICAN SONGBOOK, WITH BRIA SKONBERG AND BENNY BENACK III

For over three decades, Jazz at Lincoln Center has been a leading advocate for jazz, culture and arts education globally. Under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center has brought the art form of jazz from the heart of New York City to over 446 cities in more than 40 countries.

The JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS touring initiative provides an affordable opportunity to present great jazz programming, featuring up-and-coming musicians who have been identified as rising stars by JALC. The initiative also allows for expansion of the mission of JALC “to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education and advocacy.”

After the success of JALC Presents Songs We Love tour, this new and highly anticipated touring project from Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents celebrates the Great American Songbook in all of its playful and sophisticated glory, brought to life by two of this generation’s brightest stars.

Each armed with prodigious trumpet talent and vocal charm, Bria and Benny will relive and reimagine some of the classic partners in jazz and popular song, including Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Peggy Lee. Featuring songs by Gershwin, Ellington, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and many more, and joined by a who’s who of New York all-stars, this is an “unforgettable” eveing of singin’ and swingin’ with Bria and Benny.

ARTIST BIOS

BENNY BENACK III, trumpet, vocals, co-music director

By age 31, Emmy-nominated trumpeter and singer Benny Benack III has proven to be that rarest of talents: not only a fiery trumpet player with a stirring command of the post-bop trumpet vernacular in the vein of Kenny Dorham and Freddie Hubbard, but also a singer with a sly, mature, naturally expressive delivery in the post-Sinatra mold, performing standards and his own astute songs with a thrilling sense of showmanship. This dual-threat ability was recognized by the 2022 Downbeat Critics Poll, where he appeared as the #2 Rising Star Male Vocalist and top Rising Star Trumpeter. His superb intonation and bracing virtuosity enable him to handle astounding feats of originally composed vocalese (complex solos with written lyrics). On top of it all, he’s a highly capable pianist.

Benny has performed internationally as an Emcee/Host for the YouTube sensation Postmodern Jukebox, and achieved his own viral success, amassing millions of views for his crooning alongside the Grammy-award winning “8-Bit Big Band.” In early 2020, he released A Lot of Livin’ to Do, the follow-up to his well-received 2017 debut One of a Kind.

BRIA SKONBERG, trumpet, vocals, co-music director

Born in British Columbia, Canada and now residing in New York City, Bria has been featured at hundreds of festivals and stages, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, Kobe, Monterey, Breda, Newport and Montreal Jazz Festivals. Described as “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal), she has performed with Jon Batiste, Wycliffe Gordon, Stephane Wrembel, Steven Bernstein, U2 & Sun Ra Arkestra, The American Pops and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras, The Blacksmiths “We Insist” Band; additionally she once sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at Madison Square Garden for a New York Rangers game. The “shining hope of hot jazz” (NY Times) has been at the forefront of a revival of classic American music as both a performer and educator, programming concerts and workshops for students of all ages. A three-time Juno Award nominee, Bria’s debut LP on Sony Masterworks won for Best Jazz Vocal Album and made the Top 5 on Billboard jazz charts. Bria has recorded on over 25 albums and recently released her sixth studio solo album “Nothing Never Happens,” consisting of mostly original compositions. Her music has garnered over 13 million streams on-line and over 85,000 social media followers.

JOCELYN GOULD, guitar

Jocelyn Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul, CEO of Benedetto Guitars. Jocelyn has absorbed influences of the jazz guitar greats and woven them into an exciting personal sound, citing Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Joe Pass and Kenny Burrell as primary influences. Jocelyn has performed and recorded internationally as a leader and with GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, JUNO-winning trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg, Downbeat Rising Star trombonist Michael Dease, Etienne Charles, Jon Gordon, Rodney Whitaker, Randy Napoleon and Diego Rivera. Jocelyn’s debut album, Elegant Traveler, won the 2021 JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year: Solo.

MATHIS PICARD, piano

Mathis Picard is a French-Malagasy pianist, composer, producer and bandleader who currently resides in New York City. Rooted in the tradition of live acoustic performance, while incorporating the latest technology, Mathis creates his own musical style influenced by his multi-national background. Mathis, who began playing the piano at the age of three, was immediately passionate about music’s healing quality and now focuses on sharing that passion globally. Mathis currently leads a solo project, a trio project and his orchestra, The Sound Orchestra. Mathis has had the honor of working with Ron Carter, Lillias White, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Lee Ritenour, Daniel J. Watts, DJ Kindness, Braxton Cook, Veronica Swift, Etienne Charles and more.

MARK LEWANDOWSKI, bass

Award-winning New York City-based bassist and composer Mark Lewandowski originally hails from Nottingham, England. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music in London and New York’s prestigious Juilliard School, he has earned the respect of his peers and elders alike as a creative, supportive and individual sideman and bandleader. Lewandowski has also performed frequently as a member of Pulitzer Prize winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis’ quartet. Mark’s work as a bandleader include two releases, Waller (2017), an exploration of the music of one of the early innovators of the jazz genre, Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller, and Under One Sky (2021), comprised of exclusively original material.

DARRIAN DOUGLAS, drums

Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, and now based in New York City, Darrian Douglas has established himself as a prominent figure in the jazz music scene, performing with various groups in New Orleans and New York City. His musical journey began at age 11 at the Academic and Performing Arts Center, under the guidance of Dr. Perry Combs.

Darrian is not only a skilled drummer, but also a composer and the bandleader of The Session, a group formed with musicians he met while playing in the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet. He has performed at over 30 festivals worldwide and has a strong passion for education, having taught percussion at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

Save the Date!

BIG ARTS 45 TH ANNUAL BENEFIT MARCH 22, 2024

Lavish pre-show buffets & open bars followed by post-concert desserts, dancing, drinks & more in the BIG ARTS Malone Family Sculpture Garden!

THE DOO WOP PROJECT

featuring stars of Broadway’s smash hits

Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical

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Benefit Sponsors

EXCLUSIVE PRODUCERS

Gustav and Vibeke Christensen

Jim and Gaye Pigott

EXCLUSIVE CORPORATE PRESENTER Bank of the Islands

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTERS

James and Susen Berg

Jim and Carmen Courter

Barb and Tom Dunham

PACESETTERS

Edward and Catherine Anderson

• Dick and Mary Butler • Jack and Fay Chestnut

Linda and Gordon Coons • Jim and Dulce Doss • Susan and John Freund

JoAnn and Bob Glick

George and Susan Heisler • Maureen and Gary Saage

Sanibel Home Furnishings, Diane, Ray and Carl Knight

Jeff and Rene Savarise

Robert and Betty Van Tassel

FANS

John and Mary Ann Boorn • Barry and Judy Bronstein

Gift Shop Team: Anni, Jan, Libby & Linda • Jackie and David Lurio

Don and Nancy Rolley

•Michael Samet & Elissa-Karasin Samet

Law Office of Janet M. Strickland P.A • Ed & Virginia Stringer

Michael and Marilee Wood

GROUPIES

Charlie and Linda Adams • Judith Adler • Janice Block Chaddock and Ron Chaddock

Melissa and Scot Congress • Lousie Sinclair Eastman • John and Darnell Fatigati

Doug and Sherry Gentry • Mardi Glenn • John and Jean Halligan • The Health Whisperer

Robin and Barbara Lee • John and Barbara Lies • MHK Architecture • Bill and Barbara Millar

David and Nora Mimms • Vincent and Celina Monte-Sano • Phillip and Diane Olsson

Rob and Mindy Pierce • Susan Ramser and Chris Bowman • Joyce and Don Rice

Chip and Nancy Roach • Kris and Doug Ryckman • Nancy Traylor • Cathie and Bill Thiede

Susie Tweddell • Tom and Linda Uhler • Douglas and Priscilla Viets • Cathy and Joel Vogel

Molly and Ted Wiedeman • Bob and Kathy Wiesemann

Penny Wilkinson and Dick Boehning • Gene and Margaret Zelek

Sponsors as of March 1, 2024

COMING UP AT BIG ARTS

SOLDOUT!

THE HIT MEN

March 15, 8:00PM

Sponsored by Bob and Kathy Wiesemann & Charles and Gail Sheetz

STACEY KENT

April 6, 8:00PM

Sponsored by Tom and Linda Uhler

GALLERY OPENING & ARTIST RECEPTION

WENDY KLEMPERER - UPRISING

March 16, 5:00-7:00PM

BIG ARTS COMMUNITY CHORUS SPRING CONCERT

April 5, 7:00PM

BIG ARTS FAMILY DAY

April 13, 4:00-7:00PM

GALLERY OPENING & ARTIST RECEPTION

ART AS THERAPY, HOPE AND HEALING THROUGH ART

May 3, 5:00-7:00PM

Meet Our Supporters

Thank you to our loyal donors.

Your support is needed now, as never before.

PREMIERE

Gustav & Vibeke Christensen

Leslie Fleischner

Florida Department of State

Ken Nees

Jim & Gaye Pigott

Bob & Kathy Wiesemann

PACESETTER

Sanibel Captiva Trust Company

Dr. Michael & Mrs. Marilee Wood

BENEFACTOR

Bank of the Islands

James C. & Susan H. Berg

Ginny Bowen

Andrew & Ruthelen Burns

Dick & Mary Butler

Congress Jewelers

Janice Devitt

Barb & Tom Dunham

Kathleen & John Green Jr.

Dorothy & Seth Hemming

Bob & Marilyn Klaskin

Dorothy Lichtenstein

Northern Trust

Sue Pick

Jeffrey & Rene Savarise

Charlie & Gail Sheetz

Patricia Thurber

Linda & Tom Uhler

Linda & John Wulff

Edward

Lore

David

Elaine

John

Barry

Linda

Mark

Howard

Scott

Robert

Carol

Robert

Scott

Lawrence

Marcel

Sanibel

The Buckman Family

George C. Witte

FRIEND

Don

Dick

Robert

Leslie

Suzanne

Charles

George

Dr.

Richard

Mary

Tom

Kathryn

PJ

Leslie

Peter

Deborah Butler

Melissa

Richard

Mr.

Ron

Carl

Mrs.

Leslie

Michele

Robin

Melissa

Mr.

Gary

Howard

David

Roy

Marla

Randall

Fred

Mr.

Jim

Bruce

Tom

Carl

Jim

John

Dennis

Ellen

Jon

Betsy

FRIEND

Dennis Sutherland

Al & Monica Taylor

Kathleen Taylor & Bruno Notari

Lynn Thelen

Kersti Thompson

Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Timson

Kay Trainor

Karr & Joan Van Nordstrand

Janice VanBuskirk

Kelli Vestal

Gary & Linda Vroegindewey

David Waks & Sandra Teger

Anne Walter

Bob & Roberta Washlow

James Weddell

Ina Weissblatt

Lyman & Deana Welch

Lynne Wesolowski

Berta & Carroll Wetzel

Helene Weyant

Brian & Susan White

Patricia Pombo Wilson

Elaine & Sanford Winer

Linda & Jim Winn

J Pamela Weiner & James Wittenberg

E. Blake Wood

The Dunham Children

Nancy Zeedyk

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffry Zimmer

LEGACY SOCIETY

Jack T. Bailey

Jerry Churchill

K. Ann Dempsey

Elizabeth Eagleton

Ruth F. Frank

Roni Freer

Deborah & John La Gorce

Kenneth L. Nees

Don & Joyce Rice

John Schork

Penny Wilkinson & Dick Boehning

Please remember BIG ARTS in your estate planning.

GIFTS IN HONOR OF

Chuck Bonser

Donna Leahy

The Dunham Family

Kris Gurall

Patrick Harder

David and Ann Hedges

George & Susan Heisler

Ken Nees

Dan & Gerri Perkins

Jim & Gaye Pigott

Carol Rosenberg

Elmer Stilbert

Janet M. Strickland, P.A.

Monica Taylor

Ellen Whitten

Suzanne

Meet Our Staff

Lena Baranova - Staff Accountant

Denise Dillon - Events Assistant

Marina Dowling - Office Manager

Barbara Freeman - Executive Assistant

Meghan Govoni - Marketing Manager

Melody Hampton - Database and Information Manager

Lee Ellen Harder - Executive Director

Charlotte Hardt - Customer Service Associate

Wendy Harriman - House Manager

Aimee Harrison - Workshops Manager

Richard Jones - Technical Director

David Kolson - Chief Financial Officer

Greg LeBlanc - Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor

Kelly Lowden - Customer Service Associate

Wilson McCray - Gallery Director

Michelle Schweber - Development Director

Olga Semreen - Staff Accountant

Meet Our Board

Chair - Rene Savarise

Vice Chair - Bob Wiesemann

Treasurer/Secretary - David Lowden

Past Chair - Don Rice

Executive Director - Lee Ellen Harder

Gustav Christensen

Scot Congress

Mike Wood

Great communities create great organizations – not the other way around. In 1979, BIG ARTS was created, by, and for the community, and owes its rich history to a small band of dedicated artists who drew inspiration from each other and from the breathtaking island beauty that infused their work with grace and authenticity.

They set out to create a special gathering place where artistic and educational experiences were accessible to all. Today that vision is alive and well. With the help of our loyal donors and supporters, BIG ARTS will carry that vision forward –providing joy, inspiration and a sense of community for generations to come.

Vision

To create great arts, entertainment and learning experiences that always inspire, enrich and delight.

MissionProvide an array of quality entertainment, arts and education programs that enrich and nurture the lives of Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors through:

• professionally led arts and enrichment classes and workshops for students of all ages

• stimulating and informative lectures and group discussions with renowned national thought leaders and educators

• dynamic visual and performing arts presentations of the highest caliber INFORMATION & TICKETS:

IN PERSON: 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, Florida 33957

BY PHONE: 239.395.0900

ONLINE: BIGARTS.org