Monday, October 16, 2006

Celebrity Series opens with Prez Hall

After intermission, there was a mini-concert in the Green Room at Symphony Hall: the pianist finished a tune...laughter...a chord...more laughter...some wine was poured...a request...laughter...polite frivolity. When intermission ended no one was shushed, someone closed the door to the Green Room so Ellis Marsalis could begin his set onstage, and the mini-concert continued.



There were musicians in the house last night when the Preservation Hall Jazz Band came to town. Musicians with New Orleans pedigrees of distinction. Musicians with surnames like Barbarin and Brunious and Marsalis. A person got the feeling they could not have been in each others company and not played music. When the Band played Just a Closer Walk With Thee - parade style, going slowly to the graveyard - it felt profound in a way a CD will never capture.



Quite a night. Not lightweight and certainly not somber. I took a few photos, but you shoulda been there.



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Bingo! kept the revelry going in the lobby

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Wacky cartoons and other video novelties filled the giant screen above the stage



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The big finish



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(left to right) Talbots CEO Arnold Zetcher, Celebrity Series Executive Director Marty Jones, pianist Ellis Marsalis, and Ellen Zetcher at the after-party.



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