GRP recording artist David Benoit will participate in A Capitol Fourth on Tuesday, July 4th, 2000. The annual event, which takes place on the West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol building, will be broadcast live on the local PBS affiliate in DC, and will be fed live to the national PBS network, the Armed Forces Radio and TV network, and National Public Radio.
Hosted by Barry Bostwick, A Capitol Fourth will also feature performances by Ray Charles, James Galway, Audra McDonald, and Lee Ann Womack, as well as Leonard Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Benoit will perform a medley of tunes from his new recording, Here's To You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! The album is an all-star musical tribute to Charles Schulz and the PEANUTS(tm) comic strip.
Most of the songs on Here's To You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! are new renditions of the Vince Guaraldi classics from the first 17 PEANUTS animated specials. Highlights include the holiday favorite “Christmastime Is Here" with vocals by Take 6, and a duet between Benoit and the original Guaraldi recording on the world-famous “Linus and Lucy." (The track begins with Guaraldi counting off and playing with his trio, then Benoit's group takes over. The song concludes with the Guaraldi trio's playing of the trademark hook.) Another standout track is Al Jarreau's version of “Happiness" from the stage play, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (music and lyrics by Clark Gesner).
The dual inspirations behind this project were Benoit's longtime affiliation with the music of PEANUTS (he has written the music for six PEANUTS specials) and, most importantly, his friendship with Schulz. “Charles Schulz meant so much to me, and I've always included some Guaraldi songs in my live performances over the years," says Benoit, who identified with Charlie Brown as a child. “I created the recording as a great celebration, and now it will stand as a tribute."
WHO: David Benoit
WHAT: Performing on A Capitol Fourth
WHERE: U. S. Capitol Building, West Lawn, Washington, DC
WHEN: Tuesday, July 4th, 2000 at 8:00pm ET BROADCAST: On PBS, Armed Forces Radio and TV Network, and National Public Radio
For more information contact All About Jazz.
