Pops rocks the house
At last, Glendale has a pops orchestra with a tenured music director/conductor who can pull top names to headline concerts. And he sings beautifully too!
Matt Catingub and the Glendale Pops Orchestra had their debut concert “The Premiere” on May 13 at the Alex Theatre. It was a chance to introduce the audience to the maestro and his musicians as well as showcase some of the guest talent on tap for the first season, which will be a mix of free concerts at the Americana at Brand and paid shows at the Alex.
The news is spreading fast because just under 1,000 people flocked to the 1,400-seat venue.
The excitement generated by the conductor, orchestra and special guests Kenny Loggins, David Benoit and Monica Mancini was nothing short of electrifying and possibly the best show this reporter has seen to date at the Alex.
Catingub led the orchestra in “One Mint Julep” and “The Journey” before stepping into the spotlight and playing piano in “Girl from Ipanema” followed by “Don’t Be That Way/Stompin’ at the Savoy” and “Take the A Train” with the conductor alternating between vocals and saxophone. Not only are his musical abilities terrific but his stage demeanor is upbeat and his smile infectious. Those who love to dance said after the concert that it was all they could do to stay in their seats. Many rocked back and forth in their chairs anyway.
David Benoit, the first guest artist, stole everyone’s heart playing the familiar piece “Linus & Lucy” from the Peanuts animated TV specials. The man’s hands flew over the keys with such precision it was just amazing. He’ll be returning to the Alex for the Glendale Pops “HolidayPop!” concert on Dec. 9.
Monica Mancini changed the mood to mellow with her renditions of “The Shadow of Your Smile” and “It Had Better Be Tonight.” Mancini will be the special guest along with popular smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz during the orchestra’s May 11 concert titled “Summer Night Swing” at the Alex Theatre.
Everyone joined in when Kenny Loggins kicked off his set with “Danny’s Song.” Loggins let the audience sing a couple phrases before jumping back in — his grin revealing his pleasure that they remembered. Then he did “Return to Pooh Corner,” which has a new third verse he wrote for his fourth child. That piece was followed by “Conviction of the Heart,” which he stopped early on.
“Wrong fret,” he said. “I put the capo on in the dark.”
His comment drew laughs from the crowd.
But the next selection really got the party started.
“I’m going to play a typical symphony song everyone has to do,” he said, tongue-in-cheek.
And he broke into “Footloose,” his hit song from the 1984 Paramount Pictures film of the same name. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. Still an audience favorite, it earned him a standing ovation from the Alex crowd.
Loggins will reunite with the Glendale Pops Orchestra for the Feb. 10 concert titled “This is Romance.” And it should prove to be the perfect gift for a special Valentine.
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Infobox:
What: Glendale Pops Orchestra presents “Summer Night Swing” featuring Patti Austin and Tierney Sutton
When: 8 p.m. June 30
Where: The Americana at Brand, 889 Americana Way, Glendale
Tickets: Free, but season subscribers receive VIP seating on the green
Contact: www.alextheatre.org