Isaak Makes Orchestral Debut with Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins; Evening Capped by Fireworks

FRIDAY and SATURDAY, JULY 11 and 12, 2008, AT 8:30 PM

July 11 Concert Sponsored by Heineken
July 12 Concert Sponsored by WaMu

A seductive night under the stars is in store for Hollywood Bowl audiences with Some Enchanted Evening: A Night of Romance, featuring the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra with special guest Chris Isaak, in his Bowl and orchestral debuts, Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, at 8:30 p.m. Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins leads the Bowl Orchestra in an evening filled with lushly romantic music from stage and screen, including sentimental favorites such as Lai’s “Love Story,” Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi, and Mancini’s “Moon River.” World-renowned Argentine tango dancer Sergei Tumas and premiere Latin dancer Liz Lira take the evening’s sensuality quotient up a degree as they tango to Piazzolla’s Milonga del ángel and La muerte del ángel. Award-winning bandoneónist Peter Soave, who has been deeply inspired by the music of Piazzolla, performs during the dance segment. The evening culminates with a set performed by Isaak that includes some of the tender-hearted crooner’s most notable hits, including “Wicked Game” and “Only the Lonely.” Joining Isaak are long-time band members, Kenney Dale Johnson, drums; Hershel Yatovitz, lead guitar; Rowland Salley, bass; Scott Plunkett, piano and organ; and Rafael Padilla, percussion. The evening concludes with an abridged version of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture accompanied by a spectacular display of fireworks.

The multi-talented Isaak also possesses a wry, self-deprecating sense of humor as illustrated in the following quote:

“I've always held the Hollywood Bowl in the highest esteem; so many wonderful artists and entertainers have played there over the years,” said Isaak. “I am grateful for whatever oversight or lowering of standards is responsible for me being invited to perform, and you can bet I’ll arrive early, have some extra sequins put on my good suit and do my best to keep the audience entertained.”

Isaak’s career spans more than two decades beginning with his 1984 debut album, Silvertone, but it was his 1989 single, “Wicked Game” and accompanying video featuring Isaak and supermodel Helena Christensen that catapulted him to fame. He has also appeared in a number of films and television programs, including his own “The Chris Isaak Show,” which ran on Showtime from 2001 to 2004.

THOMAS WILKINS is principal guest conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He was appointed as Music Director of the Omaha Symphony in 2005, and 2007/08 marked his second season with the orchestra. The 2007/08 season also marked his eighth season as Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony. Past positions have included Resident Conductor of the Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay), and Associate Conductor of the Richmond (VA) Symphony. He served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Committed to promoting a life-long enthusiasm for music, Wilkins brings energy and commitment to audiences of all ages. For his significant contribution to the children of Tampa Bay, the Pinellas County Music Educators Association named him 1998 Friend of the Arts and the Hillsborough County Elementary Music Educators recognized him as 1998 Music Educator of the Year. He seeks to cultivate a “vibrant creative imagination” in today’s youth. Wilkins has guest conducted orchestras throughout the United States, including the Cleveland Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra; the symphonies of Dallas, Baltimore, Houston, Grand Rapids, New Jersey, Indianapolis, San Antonio and Oregon; the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Louisville Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, DC. As Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony, he leads the orchestra in a variety of programs, including Classical, Special Events, Pops, Young People’s and educational concerts. In the 2007/08 season, the DSO awarded Wilkins the Classical Roots Musical Achievement Award. Wilkins actively participates in the life of the community as a frequent guest speaker and volunteer for local community organizations and schools. He has served on the board of directors of such organizations as the Center Against Spouse Abuse in Tampa Bay, and the Museum of Fine Arts and the Academy Preparatory Center for Education, both in St. Petersburg. Currently he serves as chairman of the board for the Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund. A native of Norfolk, VA, Wilkins earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in 1978, where he now returns each summer to serve as Orchestral Conductor for that institution’s summer performing arts camp. In 1982, he was awarded the Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

In the course of CHRIS ISAAK’s career, he has released nine extraordinary albums, 12 singles, been nominated for two Grammy awards, acted in several motion pictures and starred in his own critically-acclaimed television series. His legendary shows with his longtime band, Silvertone, have entertained tens of thousands of people for more than two decades. Even his hair has its own fan club. Recently, this highly praised, platinum-selling artist released a greatest hits album, Best of Chris Isaak. The CD and accompanying DVD, which features 18 video clips by such esteemed directors as Gus Van Sant, Bruce Weber, Herb Ritts, Mary Lambert and Jean-Baptiste Mondino – take listeners on a gratifying musical journey through the Stockton, Calif., native’s two-decade career, showcasing his stellar songwriting; smooth dusky baritone (and tender falsetto); and effortless brand of stylish retro-cool. The album displays Isaak’s many different musical personas: the rockabilly rebel (“Dancin’,” “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing,” “Speak Of The Devil”), the brokenhearted crooner (“Wicked Game,” “Somebody’s Crying”), and the breezy acoustic storyteller (“San Francisco Days,” “Two Hearts). It includes two brand-new songs, the elegant “King Without A Castle” and the break-up exhortation “Let’s Have a Party,” as well as two covers: Cheap Trick’s power-pop anthem “I Want You To Want Me,” a live favorite previously unavailable on any of his CDs, an inspired version of his hero Roy Orbison’s classic lovelorn ballad “Only The Lonely,” as well as a stirring, never-before-heard acoustic version of “Forever Blue.” Another significant hit included on Best Of is the south-of-the-border flavored ballad “Somebody’s Crying” from 1995’s Forever Blue (both the single and the album were nominated for Grammy awards in 1996). There there’s the swaggering, bluesy rocker “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing,” which can be heard in Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Isaak gives credit to those with whom he has worked, such as producer Erik Jacobsen, longtime engineer mark Needham and his Silvertone bandmates, drummer Kenney Dale Johnson, bassist Rowland Salley, and guitarist Hershel Yatovitz, who have been with Isaak for years.

Detroit native PETER SOAVE, whose earliest memories are of accordion music, insists that he was certain of his life’s work since the age of 3. By 16, he began entering international accordion competitions and quickly swept first place four times in England, Germany, Italy and East Germany, an unheard of feat for a virtuoso of any instrument. Deeply inspired by the music of Argentinean composer Astor Piazolla, Soave began including the characteristic bandoneún in his performances. Soave tours extensively in Europe and the U.S., and his orchestral engagements include the Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Phoenix and Detroit Symphonies, as well as the Minneapolis, Indianapolis and Ohio Chamber Orchestras. Internationally, Soave appeared with the San Salvador Philharmonic, the Zagreb Soloists and the Belgrade Philharmonic. In 1999, for the “Three Tenors’” (Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras) only North American appearance, Soave performed as the featured bandoneónist. Creatively Soave has collaborated with Aldemaro Romero, the foremost composer and senator of Venezuela, premiering many of his works. In 2001, Soave performed Romero’s Piazzollana-Homage a Piazzolla (written for Soave) at l’Accademia de Santa Cecilia in Rome, and in 2003, Romero dedicated his latest compositions “Tango Furioso” and “Soavecito” for Accordion and Orchestra to Soave. Soave recently completed a recording of Piazzolla’s “Five Tango Sensations” with the Rucner String Quartet of Zagreb, as well as double CD of Astor Piazzolla’s masterpieces, Undertango 2. Soave also released Peter Soave & Symphony Orchestra, a CD of works for bandoneon and accordion with symphony orchestras, featuring music from Piazzolla and Carmine Coppola. Soave received the Detroit Music Award for Best Classical Recording in 2001 and Best Classical Instrumentalist in 2003.

"The TangoMan" SERGEI TUMAS, world renowned Argentine tango dancer, producer/artistic director, and exclusive soloist tango dancer for Julio Iglesias, dances with "The Rose of Salsa" LIZ LIRA, a four-time World Salsa Champion. The pair most recently appeared in the show "Pasión de España" at the historic Alex Theatre, where Tumas wrote the libretto and choreography for the Media City Ballet Company. Premiere Latin dancer Lira has conquered the salsa world and is currently taking the Argentine tango and international Latin worlds by storm with her signature moves and jaw-dropping performances, making her one of the most influential artists world-wide. Tumas and Lira, currently based in Los Angeles, have been part of numerous stage, commercials, TV, and film appearances world-wide.

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and in 1991 gave its name to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, a resident ensemble that has filled a special niche in the musical life of Southern California. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 40th season. Attendance figures over the past several decades have soared: in 1980 the Bowl first topped the half-million mark and close to one million admissions have been recorded. In February 2008, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the fourth year in a row at the 19th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. The Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2008, AT 8:30 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2008, AT 8:30 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood



Some Enchanted Evening: A Night of Romance



HOLLYWOOD BOWL ORCHESTRA

THOMAS WILKINS, conductor

CHRIS ISAAK, vocals, rhythm guitar



The July 11 concert is sponsored by Heineken.

The July 12 concert is sponsored by WaMu.



Tickets ($10 - $114) are on sale now at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office (Tuesday–Sunday, noon–6 p.m.), by phone 323.850.2000 or by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details.

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