Jackie Draper: Legrand Legacy – Keep the Music Playing!
Jackie Draper pays tribute to one of her favorite musical composers, Michele Legrand, Tuesday, December 8 at 7:00 pm, as part of Urban Stages Winter Rhythms. This show is inspired not only by her love of his music but also by her love of TV and movie themes, for which Legrand wrote over 200 compositions. She has a love of languages, so there will be songs sung in Legrand’s native tongue, French, and there will also be a dance number or two. Music Director: Gregory Toroian, Bass: Skip Ward, Drums: Ron Tierno, Woodwinds: Robbyn Tongue, Special Guest Artist/Dancer: Milo Saidl, Director: Kimberly Vaughn.
Jackie Draper has performed twenty-two different solo cabaret shows in NYC at Don’t Tell Mama, Danny’s Skylight Room, and the Laurie Beechman Theatre, her cabaret “home” for the past eighteen years – all with Gregory Toroian as Music Director and Arranger, and all including dance. She has also participated in shows at 53 Above, Metropolitan Room, Pangea, Triad Theater and Urban Stages. Jackie sings in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and, more recently, Portuguese. Known for engaging in the “treasure hunt” of finding unique (and sometimes lesser-known) songs that resonate with her audience, Jackie says, “Every time I am blessed to be onstage—to tell a story, to express moving music, to blend with marvelous musicians, to connect with individuals in the audience—is a miracle to me.”
The award-winning Urban Stages Winter Rhythms music festival returns with “A Tribute To,” shows saluting beloved artists, genres, and more, December 2 -19. All proceeds support Urban Stages’ Outreach Program, bringing more than 1,000 free, multilingual performances, workshops, and programs to libraries across all five boroughs of New York City. For a complete schedule and tickets: https://www.urbanstages.org/