December 4, 2004

December 2004:

December 4 and 5 - John Sawoski plays keyboards with the orchestra for Disneyland's 50th Annual Candlelight Concert, featuring an 800-voice choir, soloists including guest guitarist Grant Geissman, and guest narrator Marie Osmond. Town Square, Disneyland. The orchestra, made up mostly of Los Angeles studio musicians, performs in a beautifully moving collection of Christmas music, from Handel's Hallelujah Chorus to songs and carols arranged by Bob Krogstad, John Rutter, Jack Askew, Peter Knight, Ken Whitcomb, musical director Bruce Healey, and others. The conductor is Nancy Sulahian, Director of Chamber Singers in the Los Angeles Master Chorale. To get an idea of what this unadvertised yet huge event is like for Disneyland Park visitors, click here.

December 5 - John Sawoski's arrangements will be performed by The Leading Ladies in: Help is on the Way for the Holidays at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. Tickets: $45-$5000. A benefit for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation. For more information, please see: http://www.richmondermet.org/reaf10.1/HelpHol6.htm

December 12 - John Sawoski plays keyboards with The Capistrano Valley Symphony at the Laguna Cliffs Marriot Resort in Dana Point. Show time: 2 pm. Featuring two choirs with the orchestra. Also: special guest soloist Sophia Sawoski (age 4), will sing a special Christmas medley arranged and orchestrated by her father, John Sawoski. Tickets: $25 concert only ($10 students), or $55 for concert & brunch. For tickets, call the orchestra at 949-240-8584 or click here for order form.

Wednesday Evenings from 6:30 to 10:15 pm - John Sawoski plays piano and music directs for Emmy Award-winning actor and vocalist Gregg Marx at Maggiano's Little Italy at The Grove. The group features veteran jazz bassist Nedra Wheeler and drummer Jack LeCompte. http://www.reviewplays.com says: Anyone who wants to feel the sounds of love should bring his/her significant other for a significant evening of song. Few singers have the magic in the voice that Gregg brings, and even fewer can reach through to your heart and play the love strings like a harp. The musical platter is full and rich, and everyone gets a little something they like. Maggiano's Little Italy at The Grove is located at 189 The Grove Drive Z80, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323-965-9665). No cover charge or reservations necessary.

Sundays 9 am from October through Christmas, and Christmas Eve 5:30 pm: John Sawoski accompanies for the Caritas Chorus at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Parish in Los Angeles under the direction of renowned composer Christopher Walker. St. Paul's is located at: 10750 Ohio Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Other News:

Good Reviews for The Big Bang - John Sawoski recently played piano and music directed for "The Big Bang," at Norris Center for the Performing Arts. Palos Verdes Peninsula News called the show "Wacky, Wacky, Wacky... outrageous... crazy... good old-fashioned, non-politically correct schtick... played by the incredibly funny Paul Kreppel & Larry Raben... and renowned pianist John Sawoski." The LA Times called Paul Kreppel & Larry Raben "two gifted practitioners of manic musical comedy." Click here for full LA Times review.