A Tribute to Benny Goodman/Peggy Lee, Featuring Amanda Carr & The Everett Longstreth Orchestra

If Amanda Carr had her way, “Big Band” wouldn’t just be a category of music, it would be taught as a class – one that she thinks would appeal to all ages.  The lovely, energetic and highly acclaimed Carr, co-star of the upcoming “Tribute to Benny Goodman/Peggy Lee” show at Simsbury Meadows should know: she grew up as a singer/keyboardist primarily with rock and pop bands, but has found that jazz and legacy music – like the Benny Goodman/Peggy Lee Tribute – are a great bridge between today’s music, and the rich, Big Band sounds from days gone by.

“Big band is a language, and I think if more students heard a real Big Band they’d be so excited and fueled by it. There’s such a recording heritage” says Carr.   In fact, Carr has created a website focused on the Big Band era, called “The American Big Band Preservation Society”, which can be found at www.AmericanBigBand.org.

The good news, for Jazz, Swing, Big Band, and really all music lovers, is that Carr, along with the Everett Longstreth Orchestra, will be bringing their successful and popular show to the Simsbury Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows on August 5^th.  It’s sure to be an evening filled with a mix of authentic, traditional Big Band era music. It will challenge younger audiences to appreciate legacy music, and will bring chills to those who remember Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee first-hand. 

The show has been a hit and has gotten much positive press:

Boston/Stoneham Theatre:”We keep having Amanda Carr come back as Peggy Lee and keep selling out shows, this is a welcome tradition.”

Cape Cod/Cape Cod Jazz Society: "Amanda brought the audience into a finger snapping assist with her swinging version of Peggy's signature song FEVER!"

 Providence/Valley Breeze:  "As Peggy Lee, Carr adds sex appeal to this Big Band Tribute!!" ...

 Tickets for this event are priced at $8 for lawn seats and $12 for table seats.  It is co-sponsored by The New McLean, Simsbury: “an active retirement community, the national home care agency for April 2011, and so much more”.

 To purchase tickets, or for more information, go to www.SimsburyMeadows.com, or call 860-651-4052.