The catchy rhythm and stylish elegance of big band music will return Wednesday to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the form of Zoot Suit Symphony, a new performance by the Houston Symphony under the direction of conductor Michael Krajewski.
Made popular by jazz artists such as Cab Calloway, Louis Prima, Count Basie and several others, Krajewski and the Houston Symphony will play many of the most popular songs from an era where zoot suits and fedoras dominated the musical landscape. These songs include "One O’Clock Jump," "I’m Getting Sentimental Over You," "Moonlight Serenade" and "Sing, Sing, Sing," among others.
Prominent in the early 1930s to late 1940s, big band is a musical ensemble that captured the jazz scene during the Swing Era. Prior to that era, big band music would most often consist of 10 to 25 pieces, typically including string instruments such as violins and playing a more scripted, softer sound. During the years leading up to the 1930s, the improvisational, high-energy sound most often associated with jazz began to emerge.
Several pre-concert activities will be provided for concertgoers, including a 1940s-themed petting zoo and the opportunity for children to design their own zoot-suit ties. Several sponsors, including Mosquito Nix, The Woodlands Country Club, Woodlands Online and Chick-fil-A, will be offering their own activities as well.
Tickets for the Zoot Suit Symphony range from $10 to $15. Activities begin at 7:00 p.m. and those who donate a new or used musical instrument will receive their ticket at half-price. All donated instruments will be given to children in Montgomery County schools.
