Tough times can result in great art. From July 27-31 and August 2-6, the Shedd Institute will host its 31st Oregon American Music Festival, Pennies from Heaven.
This year’s theme is US music from 1929-41 – the years of the Great Depression. Despite these difficult times, the period was marked by the emergence of a variety of specific musical styles, resulting in what is known as the Great American Songbook.
The festival is not making a direct statement about past and present economic times, says Jim Ralph, executive director of The Shedd. “I call it historic cultural tourism,” says Ralph.
Pennies from Heaven celebrates jazz and swing productions by well-known artists such as the Boswell Sisters, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Walter Page, Benny Moten, the Gershwin brothers, Al Jolson and Ethel Merman.
“This is a festival focused on what I call a classic songbook in historical popular music,” says Ralph.
OFAM music director Chuck Redd is joined by five guest directors, including local singer Shirley Andress, Eugene performer Lynnea Barry, vocalist Siri Vik and jazz artists Peter and Will Anderson. Twenty-four artists also participate in the 10-day event as vocalists or in the band.
Redd directs the opening gala concert, scheduled for 7:30 pm on July 27, with musical examples from the golden age of radio. The songs include hits like “Star Dust”, “In the Blue of the Night” and “Comes Love”. Concerts on July 28 and August 6 pay tribute to the Boswell Sisters, a worldwide sensation in the jazz and swing eras. Benny Goodman, the king of swing, is in the spotlight on July 29th and August 5th.
Stage music and theater brought to Los Angeles from New York and remade for film in the 1930s are the focus on July 30th and August 4th. Under the direction of Redd, Count Basie and Duke Ellington will be celebrated on July 31.
The beginning of Artie Shaw’s career will be presented on August 2nd. On August 3, select jazz and popular patterns are scheduled to perform. Look forward to July 28 and August 4 to hear the pioneering Kansas City style of Walter Page and Benny Moten. The socially conscious music performed on the Broadway stage from 1928 to 1940 takes place on July 29 and August 5.
OFAM 2022 also offers singing, movies, lectures and dinners. The free community songs are led by vocal instructor Amy Adams at 1:30pm, July 27th and August 3rd. The films will include hits like Pennies from Heaven, Swing Time, A Damsel in Distress and The Wizard of Oz.
The lecture series are open to the public and guided by Ralph, Howard Schumann and others. The nine lectures will be at 5:30 pm July 27-30 and August 2-5 at Sheffer Recital Hall. Pre-concert meals are offered at Warren Court at 6pm for $25.75 (adults) and $19.75 (children 9 and under). Tickets must be purchased one day in advance. ν
Pennies from Heaven runs July 27-31 and August 2-6 at The Shedd Institute. Tickets start at $25, with discounts available, at TheShedd.org.
