Artie Shaw Under Music Director Rich Chiaraluce
Reserved Seating $25
($23 Opera House Members)
Great Performers Concert Series
On the eve of America's entry into World War II, TIME magazine reported that to the German masses, the United States meant "sky skrapers, Clark Gable and Artie Shaw." Some 42 years after that, in December 1983, Artie Shaw made a brief return to the bandstand after 30 years away from music, not to play his world-famous clarinet but to launch his latest (and still touring) orchestra.
It all clicked when Shaw reworked one little show tune with his own signature sound. "Begin the Beguine," which Shaw jokingly referred to as "a nice little tune from one of Cole Porter's very few flops," was that song. Shaw's break-through recording became the hit that catapulted him into the ranks of top bandleaders; and he was immediately dubbed the "new King of Swing." Every year, the Artie Shaw Orchestra recording of "Begin the Beguine" sells in the thousands, making it one of the best-selling records in history.
Artie Shaw OrchestraIn 1954 Shaw made his last public appearance as an instrumentalist, giving his blessing in 1983 to the current rendition of the Artie Shaw Orchestra, now led by Rich Chiaraluce.
An accomplished musician originally from New Haven, CT, Chiaraluce is no stranger to the Big Band sound. He has toured for years as the lead alto sax player for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Buddy Morrow and as the featured clarinetist with the Artie Shaw Orchestra. When asked recently to step in for the ailing Dick Johnson, who led the Artie Shaw Orchestra since 1983, Chiaraluce didn't hesitate. And he hasn't missed a step since!
Artie Shaw put the "swing" in Swing; and his Big Band, now under Chiaraluce's leadership, still remains one of the swingingest outfits around.
