2019-07

This week we feature Kenneth Hamilton, concert pianist from Scotland. We'll listen to examples of his music from his recently released CD, “Ronald Stevenson Vol. 2”, discuss his career and how he became “one of the finest players of his generation”. He has appeared many times on TV, radio, and at festivals around the world.​

On this week's show Joe is featuring pianist, composer and arranger Mary Lou Williams with the Andy Kirk 12 Clouds of Joy Orchestra from their 1936-1937 Decca Recording "Mary's Idea" as remastered and released in 1993 on GRP Records.

On this week's show Joe is featuring pianist Lynne Arriale from her 1996 DMP recording "With Words Unspoken" with Drew Gress, bass and Steve Davis, drums.  

The Late Night Cabaret at Theatre By The Sea is the subject of this week's program with Poppy Champlin and Doreen Collins, the comedians that share the hosting role. We talk about the program and listen to some of the very popular songs from it. For more information you can call (401) 782-8587, or go to    www.theatrebythesea.com​

In this program WCRI host Mike Maino welcomes Violinist Irina Muresanu & Pianist Daniel Del Pino who will be performing at the Newport Music Festival this season. Romanian violinist Irina Muresanu has won the hearts of audiences and critics alike with her “irresistible” (Boston Globe), exciting, elegant and heartfelt performances of the classic, romantic and modern repertoire. An active chamber musician and recitalist, she is the winner of the Pro Musicis International Award, the Presser Music Award, the Kate Kinley Fellowship Award from the University of Illinois and the Arthur Foote Award from the Harvard Musical Association. For more information on Irina please visit https://www.irinamuresanu.com/ One of the leading Spanish concert pianists in the international scene, Daniel del Pino has performed in all five continents in some of the most prestigious venues, such as Salle Gaveau in Paris, Bulgaria Hall in Sofia, Atheneum G. Enescu in Bucharest, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Auditorio Manuel de Falla in Granada, Auditori in Barcelona, Teatro Arriaga in Bilbao, Taipei’s National Concert Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City. He holds top prizes from international Piano Competitions Nueva Acrópolis, Ciudad de Ferrol, Fundación Guerrero, Her Majesty Princess Lalla Meriem, Jeunesses Musicales du Maroc, and Premio Jaen. For more information on Daniel please visit http://danieldelpino.weebly.com/ For more information on the Newport Music Festival or to purchase tickets please visit newportmusic.org 

This week we feature Larry King, on air personality of WCRI's Classical Network. We'll talk about his recent trip to Spain, and listen to music that was written and performed in some of the places he visited. For more information about Larry, go to our web site www.classical959.com    

In this program WCRI host Mike Maino welcomes Baritone Trevore Neal & Soprano Kara Shay Thomson who will be performing at the Newport Music Festival this season. Hailed by Opera News for his “warm and rich baritone”, Trevor Neal, is a favorite among audiences across the United States. The 2017/18 season has seen him at Opera San Jose in role debuts of Don Alfonso in Cosi Fan Tutte, Germont in La Traviata, Dutchman in The Flying Dutchman, and Rambaldo in La Rondine. He was previously a Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist at Virginia Opera where he sang the role of Kilian in Weber's Der Freischutz to critical acclaim. For more information on Trevor Neal please visit trevornealbaritone.com .  Dramatic soprano, Kara Shay Thomson continues to build her expansive stage career by creating characters that push the limits both musically and dramatically and this year is no exception. Ms. Thomson opened the 2018-19 season with her debut of Balkis in Goundod's La Reine de Salba with Opera Odyssey. She follows with Turandot with Sarasota Opera and her debut of Salome with Dayton Opera. For more information on Kara Shay Thomson please visit karashaythomson.com . For more information on the Newport Music Festival or to purchase tickets please visit newportmusic.org 

On this week's show Joe is featuring saxophonist Harry Allen from his 1999 RCA Victor recording "Harry Allen Plays Ellington Songs" with Bill Charlap, piano; Peter Washington, bass and Kenny Washington, drums.  

Theatre By The Sea's presentation of “Newsies” is the subject of this week's program with Karen Kessler, Press Rep., and Clay Roberts, playing the roll of Jack Kelly. We talk about the musical, and listen to some of the very popular songs from it. For more information you can call (401) 782-8587 or go to www.theatrebythesea.com​

On this week's show Joe is featuring Trumpeter Terence Blanchard from his 1995 Sony/Columbia recording "Romantic Defiance" with Kenny Garrett, tenor sax; Edward Simon, piano; Chris Thomas, bass and Troy Davis, drums.

In this program WCRI host Mike Maino welcomes violinist Stephanie Chase who will once again be performing at the Newport Music Festival this season. Stephanie Chase is internationally recognized as “one of the violin greats of our era” (Newhouse Newspapers) through solo appearances with more than 170 orchestras that include the New York and Hong Kong Philharmonics and the Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Baltimore, and London Symphony Orchestras. She has judged for the violin concerto competitions at The Juilliard School; the Concorso Postacchini in Fermo, Italy; Concert Artists Guild String Competition; Hudson Valley String Competition, and Cooper International Violin Competition. Born in Illinois and renowned as a child prodigy starting at age two, Chase’s early violin teachers were her mother and Sally Thomas of The Juilliard School. She made her debut with the Chicago Symphony at eight and at Carnegie Hall at 18. For more on Stephanie, her music and career visit stephaniechase.com. For more information on the Newport Music Festival or to purchase tickets please visit newportmusic.org 

This month on The 95.9 Company Break we talk with Joanna Papineau Allen owner of OMO Jewels & Gifts. OMO is a curated collection of American made jewelry, ceramics, hand blown glass and much more. We represent artists throughout the country who are committed to their craft and offer only the highest quality goods. We are constantly finding new and unique items to add to our selection of wonderfully handcrafted works. Whether you're looking for a wedding, baby, hostess gift or even a treat for yourself, OMO has that special something. Complimentary gift wrap and bridal registry is available. For more information call 860-961-4678 or visit omojewels.com

The Kingston Chamber Music Festival is the subject of this week's  program, with Natalie Zhu, Artistic Director and Betsy Marcotte. We talk about the upcoming Festival and listen to some of  the amazing music from last year's concerts. The Festival runs from July 24th to August 4th at the University of Rhode Island Fine Arts Center. For more information you can go to www.kingstonchambermusic.org​

On this week's show Joe is featuring Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson from their 1957 Verve recording Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson also with Herb Ellis, guitar; Ray Brown, bass and Louis Bellson, drums.

In this special program host Mike Maino speaks with The Chorus of Westerly music director Andrew Howell and Ryan Saunders Executive Director about the chorus performances since last July 4th as well as what's ahead for the chorus. As a both a performing arts organization and the owners of a performing arts center (the George Kent Performance Hall), the Chorus of Westerly's primary reasons for existence are to perform, present, and offer great musical performances and educational programs to the greater Westerly community, Rhode Island, and southeastern Connecticut. For more information on The Chorus of Westerly visit www.chorusofwesterly.org

The Contemporary Theater Company is the subject of this week's program, with Tammy Brown, Associate Artistic Director. We talk about their upcoming events and listen to some of the music from “An Improvised Soap Opera”, one of the many programs they will be presenting this summer. For more information you can call 401 218-0282, or go to www.thecontemporarytheater.com ​

On this week's show Joe is featuring jazz pianist and vocalist Chris Anderson from his 1987 Mapleshade recording "Love Locked Out".