WREN PERFORMS LIVE AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM, FEBRUARY 28TH, 7:00PM

Date: Feb 23, 2015

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http://wrenmarieharrington.com
917-513-8091


BROADWAY SINGER ACTOR WREN MARIE HARRINGTON IS FLYING HIGH WITH NEW CD LIGHT TRAVELS, A JAZZ INFUSED TAPESTRY OF LATIN AMERICAN, BRAZILIAN, ITALIAN AND AMERICAN CLASSICS BY THE INTERNATIONAL ICONS OF SONG

WREN PERFORMS LIVE AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM, FEBRUARY 28TH, 7:00PM

Wren Marie Harrington's Light Travels has extravagant variety not limited in styles or even languages. The album is simultaneously soothing and tickling. Jazz Corner

"...a marvelous voice, an artist who is destined to make history in the concert world." Centro Uno, Naples, Italy "Wonderful!" Jack Wilkins

Broadway veteran singer actor Wren Marie Harrington is flying at high altitude with Light Travels, a collection of jazz infused not-so-standard tunes from the American Songbook, Latin America, Brazil, and Italy of the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. What would appear to be a patchwork quilt is quickly transformed on a first listening to a finely woven tapestry, unconfined by idiom or country. Ms. Harrington’s silky voice, her stellar quartet and guest artists sail effortlessly through a savvy mix of melodies and rhythms, searing ballads from Argentina and Italy, Cuban jazz wedded with samba rhythms. Ms. Harrington’s carpet ride is a warm and eclectic journey that defies genre, placing Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and Kurt Weill on the bill with the international musical icons Chabuca Granda, Tom Jobim and Gino Paoli. Once an established opera soprano touring Europe and America, vocalist Wren Marie Harrington took a detour through musical theatre, notably Broadway, in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, where as an understudy for the tempestuous diva Carlotta, she rescued many an ailing headlining soprano. Lately, the songbird has been exploring jazz and a treasure trove of global music, a habit she picked up while delighting audiences in exotic hot-spots of Europe and Latin America. She is celebrating a joyful mélange of the two with Light Travels, traversing three continents and four languages.

At the helm of Light Travels is arranger/producer /pianist Art Bailey, a rising force on the improvised and world music scene. Known for his versatility, he is the go-to man for his expertise in Latin jazz, traditional Cuban music and contemporary classical music. With a diverse background playing for artists such as Steve Lacy, Itzhak Perlman and the Klezmatics, he was the obvious choice for this cross-cultural collection. Mr. Bailey has skillfully blended a variety of musical idioms into a cool summer cocktail with the help of a seasoned group of jazz/world musicians from New York City’s thriving global scene. A true ensemble artist, Ms. Harrington’s voice frolics with her quartet and guests as they each take edgy solo turns throughout. Flutist Itai Kriss flies through the stratosphere in a sizzling reworking of Caravan, transformed into a stylish Cuban charanga, reflective of a 1950’s Cuban dance hall. Several steamy ballads are on the menu, including a Tom Jobim gem Eu Sei Que Voce Amar and Juan Cobian’s Nostalgias, as well as lively samba settings of A Sleepin Bee and Dream Dancing, both of which sparkle like sun off the water in the tropics. On a final bittersweet note, Ms. Harrington’s rendering of the late Dave Brubeck’s Strange Meadowlark is delivered in straightforward art song style with lustrous guitar harmonies in the capable hands of Dave Acker. Collectively, these songs form a living tableau with Ms. Harrington’s rich color soaked voice and expert ensemble. At the heart is the nostalgic journey through time and place, suffused with gold filament.

The Metropolitan Room
34 West 22nd St., New York, NY 10010 (btw. 5th/6th Avenues)
February 28, 2015, Show starts promptly, 7:00pm
Doors open at 6:30pm CD Available on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby and its partners