07/28/11 Danny Lerman brings an international flavor not only with his smooth saxophone but his global experiences, as well. He will be appearing Friday at the Young Amphitheater in Centennial Park as part of the Music in the Park series. The South Bend native plays alto, tenor, and soprano sax and the international flavor of his music is reaching a global audience He’s a riveting performer who has played with Peabo Bryson and Howard Hewett, has toured with Norman Connors, Danny Boy and Jean Carne and shared concert bills with Herbie Hancock, Sergio Mendes, Richard Elliot, David Benoit, Eric Marienthal and the Ghetto Boys. Lerman also performs as a guest soloist with symphonies doing his original songs.
Lerman composed and recorded his first CD, Do you Feel?, in South Bend and built his name touring the Midwest.
There’s a wealth of information on his website at www.dannylerman.com and an opportunity to listen to samples of his music. He has performed at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Capetown; the famed jazz club, Kippies in Johannesburg; and in Durban with pop band Bongo Mafin (Sony). He has also appeared at Finland’s Pori Jazz Festival for four consecutive years, as well as the Tallinn Jazz Festival in Estonia. As a popular opening act, Danny has shared stages with music legends Sergio Mendez, Herbie Hancock, as well as popular jazz acts Richard Elliott, Eric Merienthal and David Benoit. Lerman has toured Turkey countless times over the last four years, performing at the renowned Gramophone Club in Istanbul, at Neve Shalom, which was a special concert celebrating Gershwin’s 100-year anniversary; Club Manhattan in Ankara, with appearances also in Southern Turkey. He’s also played in Breda, Holland, Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico, Cyprus, Tel-Aviv and Haifa, Israel and Caracas, Venezuela.
With his worldwide touring, he’s found time to record his third album, Meow Baby. The fact that the album title comes from a line in an episode of Kojak proves that he knows how to have fun. He also knows retro cool when he sees it. Lerman took a page from the 1970’s when recording the album. He adopted old school sensibilities by utilizing live musicians and having a hand in writing all the new compositions for the disc.
Since his last album release, Lerman traveled and performed around the world, including Turkey, Israel, Holland, South Africa, Venezuela and Mexico. He brought influences and musicians from the countries he visited into the studio when recording Meow Baby. While the tracks swing towards contemporary jazz, urban and adult pop, there are also traces of World Music, Middle Eastern, Latin and South African rhythms.
“I wanted this record to be a glimpse into my world, including some of the friends that I’ve made in my travels. I put both myself and the places I’ve been into the music. There’s definitely variety on this record…you don’t know what’s coming next. I’ve found some great players from all parts of the world and they brought their unique perspective to the album.”
The CD, Danny’s Island, reached the top 20 on the Contemporary Jazz charts of record industry publication Radio & Records, and the single, “Take My Breath Away”, reached the #1 position on the playlist of WGCI in Chicago. His compositions are also featured in the movie soundtracks “Wedding Bell Blues”, and “Kill Me Later”. As a special treat, “Take My Breath Away” was re-issued as a bonus track on Meow Baby.
Tony Bennett described Danny Lerman most aptly, “Beautiful music, man!”
The reaction to the CD Meow Baby has been overwhelming. All Music Guide said, “With 15 compositions to lighten your mood, set a romantic theme, or just keep you chillin’ to his contemporary saxophonics, Danny Lerman and his special guests have delivered a set that is as personal as a love song and as accessible as a sunny day on a tropical island.”
Encore is grateful for the generosity of Plymouth Foundry for being the major sponsor for the event.
Bring a lawn chair, your favorite beverage and a picnic to enjoy this special music in a delightful setting. If you don’t want to cook, Delta Theta Tau will once again be offering refreshments—each performance offering a special that reflects the group performing.
As always, gates open at 6:00 with the performance at 7:30. Tickets are $10 for adults in advance and $15 at the gate. Children and K-12 students are free. Tickets are available at the Encore Office, A.S.K. for Flowers, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth Park and Recreation Department, Wagoner’s Music Shop and WTCA.
For more information, contact Debi Gidley at Encore Performing Arts, 1305 W. Harrison Street, Plymouth at 935-4987 or the website at www.encoreperformingarts.org.
