Greenwich Choral Society Presents 'Joyous Jazz' May 5

From GCS: Greenwich Choral Society will again demonstrate its versatility with a concert called “Joyous Jazz,” at the Norwalk Concert Hall Saturday, May 5 th at 4:00 pm. The program will feature excerpts from Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts for “Big Band,” soloists, chorus, and tap dancer and will include some of Ellington’s best-loved works, including “Heaven” and “Come Sunday.” You won’t want to miss this exciting concert!

Soloists will include GCS and Fairfield County favorite Edward Pleasant, who gained national attention when he appeared as Jake in The New York City Opera’s Porgy and Bess, which included an Emmy- nominated Live From Lincoln Center telecast on PBS. In a recent career highlight Mr. Pleasant starred in a show about the life of Nat “King” Cole, called Sincerely, Nat, which he also wrote and produced. Joining Mr. Pleasant will be Jessica Ann Best, a versatile singer who performs in opera, musical theatre, and operettas. Ms. Best made her main-stage debut with the Santa Fe Opera in summer 2008. She is a two-time Bravo winner. An exciting addition to the program will be tap dancer Kuzunori Kumagai who came to New York from Japan at the age of 19 and trained in “Funk University,” the training program for the hit roadway musical Bring in Da’ Noise; Bring in Da’ Funk. He studied with Ted Levy, Buster Brown, Gregory Hines, Barbara Duffy, and Derick K. Grant. Kazu Kumagai won the “Bessie Award 2016” as an “outstanding performer.” GCS is delighted that Prima Voce, a select group of singers from the Greenwich Public Schools Honor Choir, will also be performing in “Joyous Jazz.” The Honor Choir is an auditioned group of students in grades 5 - 8. Prima Voce (“First Voice”) members are selected from the more seasoned members of the Honor Choir.

Images via GCS