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Renaissance woman brings powerful vocals to Chandler

BY LAURA LATZKO GetOut Contributor

Storm Large is known for her dynamic vocals and personality. The rock singer, author and playwright, who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and “Rock Star: Supernova,” hopes through her music to bring audiences together.

Large will perform with her band Le Bonheur at the Chandler Center for the Arts on Friday, Feb. 18.

During the show in Tucson and Phoenix, Large and her band will perform a mélange of music – rock, “American Songbook,” Broadway and original music.

“We do ‘American Songbook,’ but it’s my interpretation of the ‘American Songbook,’ which includes people who haven’t been inducted yet into the great book,” Large said.

“I do a little Cole Porter. I do familiar standards – jazz and whatnot. I also will do some Brandi Carlile. I’ll do my own music. I put the songs together in order of a narrative that I’m trying to convey, which is we don’t know if it’s going to be OK, but that’s OK. We’re human, and what we are experiencing now is an enormous human experience that it’s not just happening to you. It’s happening to all of us.”

Recently, Large has injected more emotion into original songs like “Stand Up for Me.”

Hailing from Massachusetts, Large now resides in Portland, Oregon. For the last 30 years, Large has been a musician. She loved the artform since she was 5, but didn’t start singing with bands until she was 22.

Along with Le Bonheur, Large performs and tours nationally and internationally with the group Pink Martini. She has been singing with the group since around 2011, when she was a guest vocalist with it during concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

She made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 2013, performing Weill’s “Seven Deadly Sins” with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra during the “Sounds of Spring” Festival. She has also joined Liza Minnelli, K.D. Lang, Michael Feinstein, George Clinton and Rufus Wainwright on stage.

During her appearance on “America’s Got Talent” in 2021, Large made it to the quarterfinals, singing A-ha’s “Take On Me,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me.”

Large said that her experience on

Legendary singer Storm Large will be performing next Friday at Chandler Center for the Arts.

See STORM on page 41

2 jazz artists in Black history concert in Chandler

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Two of the Valley’s brightest jazz stars will be on the same stage at Chandler Center for the Arts Feb. 25 as Phoenix Entertainment Circle offers its Black history concert, titled “Two Horns.”

It will feature a tribute to the legendary Miles Davis by recording artists Jermaine Lockhart and Gabriel Bey with the Mainstream Band.

Both artists will play music from their latest albums before performing their tribute to Miles Davis. Also on the show will be special guest singer Charity Lockhart, who has had sold-out shows with her “Tribute to Aretha Franklin.”

Bey says on his website, “I have a vision to elevate and expand Arizona’s music and film industries by developing talented new artists and being a trusted music publishing partner.”

George Benson, one of jazz’s greatest guitarist, is executive producer of Lockhart’s “The Sunshine Album” and calls the saxophonist a rare kind of artist.

“When you hear him play, it’s something very striking-so that the next time you hear him, you’ll know there’s something very familiar about his sound,” Benson said.

On the London Soul Chart, the “Sunshine Album” is topping the charts.

Lockhart has shared the stage with Angie Bofill, Pieces of a Dream, Brian Auger, Bob James and the Jazz Crusaders.

Lockhart lives in Phoenix and was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where he grew up in the Pen-

Jermaine Lockhart has won praise for his work on the sax by a number of jazz afficionadoes. (Special to San Tan News) tecostal Church playing his saxophone music. Since then, he’s added jazz, straight-ahead grooves, and rhythm and blues genres to his repertoire. He says he is motivated by musicians like George Benson, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Woody Shaw, and Thelonius Monk because “they pushed for a unique sound that touched the mind and soul of listeners. “And that’s what I also hope to do… to perform music my listeners will continue to return to whenever they want to feel good. The one thing I’ve learned from Mr. Benson is to make music that sounds good and feels good.” Doors will open at 6 p.m. for a special VIP package that includes special seating, a free CD, and meet-and-greet with both artists. COVID-19 vaccination cards will be required for admission Tickets are now on sale at the Chandler Arts Center: 480-782-2680.

Little pieces of Italy to pepper Heritage Square

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

GetOut Editor

The cobblestone streets of Heritage Square will be peppered with art, food and musicians when the Italian Festival moves from Scottsdale to Downtown Phoenix Saturday, Feb. 26, and Sunday, Feb. 27.

“We really look for ways to make it a true, authentic Italian experience,” said Francesco Guzzo, Italian Association of Arizona’s executive director.

“We want you to feel like you’re walking into a little piece of Italy with the vendors, entertainment, the food and art displays. Those are all things meant to share the Italian tradition, but we also want to give people a sense of how much Italians contribute to the fabric of Arizona.”

This year’s festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday with a parade and opening ceremonies. The day continues with live entertainment and food — gelato, pizza, sausages, pasta, cannoli, wine and other delicacies.

“The food is the standard part of the festival,” Guzzo said. “We call it ‘the authentic true Italian food.’ We don’t even allow fettuccine alfredo. It’s not an Italian dish. A lot of people don’t know that.

“We have vendors — pasta and pizza vendors and Romolo D’Amico will make his famous carbonara. It’s an amazing dish to demonstrate on stage. We’ll have vendors selling traditional pasta sauces, clothing and olive oil.”

Live performances will include Sbandieratori del Palio di Asti (flag wavers) from the city of Asti in Piemonte, and an art gallery with local and international Italian art.

Margherita Fray, a 94-year-old artist, will show off her talents in the gallery.

“She’s bringing some of her pieces of art and her books,” Guzzo said. “Her books have been translated in English and in Italian. That’ll be incredible just to have her there and be part of the community and sign books. “

Blue Door Ceramics’ Christiane Barbato will display her artwork, while Paolo Cosanti pieces will be available, too.

Sunday, the flag wavers and vendors return and, like Saturday, they are sponsored by Galbani, Peroni, PepsiCo, Acqua Panna, San Pellegrino, Chelly, DTPHX, Desert Rose Worldwide Transportation and Great Value Vacations.

“The flag wavers are excited about this,” he said. “They’re the traditional group that represents the city of Asti in world competitions in flag waving. They’ve been doing it for 60 years in Asti.

“All the colors they wear are representative of the different boroughs. It’s quite significant.”

This year, Guzzo said, antique restored Italian vehicles will drive into Heritage Square. Vespas and Italian bicycles from Scottsdale’s Cyclologic will be on display.

“Everything coming out of Italy has an artistic flair to it,” Guzzo said. “Ferraris, Lamborghinis or Bugattis are all pieces of art, even though they’re automobiles.

“It’s a well-choreographed event. There’s always something interesting or exciting happening. Throughout the day, when people come in, they’ll see something of interest. There’s never a dull moment.”

Galbani will host a demonstration stage, and mixologists will teach patrons to make creative drinks with limoncello and Pellegrino. Many of the sponsors are sending their national representatives to check out the festival.

“We’re working on making it as interesting as possible for everyone,” Guzzo said. “We want to attract families and

Some fun contests for the kids await at Arizona’s Italian Festival later this month.

(Special to GetOut)

See ITALIAN on page 42

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