http://jasonbravo.com/news.html Jason Bravo: News Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Sat, 19 May 2012 01:13:23 -0700 http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#14
JANUARY: We had our first workshop performance of "Something So Right" at UB's Center for the Arts. A music, theater, dance collaboration produced by the Center for the Arts, MusicalFare Theatre, and LehrerDance, we had been developing this show based on the music of Paul Simon (with the permission of Paul Simon Music) for over a year. As one of the three singers in the show, I sang many of Paul Simon's great songs. As music director, I also arranged the songs for the singers and the band, oftentimes changing the original arrangments pretty drastically, with some very cool results. As one of the co-creators of the story concept, I was part of shaping the story and the character journeys.

Throughout the winter and spring, I once again put on my professor hat, teaching Voice in the Theatre Department at Niagara University.

MARCH-APRIL: Music directed the "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at MusicalFare Theatre.

APRIL: Had the premiere of "Something So Right" at UB's Center for the Arts. A wonderfully fulfilling project where I enjoyed wearing many hats as singer, dancer, actor, music director/arranger, and co-creator. (Check out the LINKS page to see clips.)

JUNE-JULY: Music directed the original musical "One More For My Baby," which included all Frank Sinatra songs, flexing my jazz muscles.

Also, in June and July, I traveled to Cleveland, Ohio numerous times to once again play keyboards and sing backup vocals for the National Tour of "Jersey Boys" (as I had last spring in Buffalo). A great cast and a great experience.

JULY-AUGUST: Music directed "Fame" at Artpark in Lewiston, NY.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER: Music directed "Damn Yankees" for the Niagara University Theatre Department. Professor Bravo in da house...

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER: Music directed the revival of last year's big hit at Irish Classical Theatre Company, "James Joyce's The Dead."

DECEMBER: Began rehearsals as music director for "Avenue Q" at MuscialFare Theatre.

Of course, the pop and theatre songwriting continued and I demoed a bunch of new stuff.

It was a very full year and I look forward to doing bigger and better in 2012!]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#14 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#13
February-March '09: Played the run of the show "Hot 'n' Cole" at the Kavinoky Theatre. With instrumentation for two pianos, Michael Hake and I played our fingers off on some awesome piano arrangements.

April-May '09: Music directed the original musical "Bada Bing! Bada Boom!" at Musicalfare Theatre, for which I learned the accordion. That really made my brain work. Kind of like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time! Lots of well-known Italian-American songs including "That's Amore."

June-July '09: Music directed "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" at Musicalfare. Brought back by popular demand, the show was very successful and a lot of fun, especially the end of Act II when our onstage 8-man band kicked into high gear. In addition to music directing, I played the role of the Emcee and, yes, had to wear a short haired wig!

July '09: Also during July, I vocal directed "Grease" for the summer youth program STAGE. It was really a great group of students and staff who were very supportive of me and my music. I had a lot of fun with them.

July 5: Had a gig at the Friendship Festival at Riverside Park. Due to everyone's hectic summer schedules, had only one rehearsal with the bass player and drummer. Whew! In addition was joined by my brother Greg and cousin Josh on guitar, and my high school friend Jen on backup (and duet) vocals.

July 20: Gig at the beautiful Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, which has amazing acoustics. The kids from "Grease" rocked the first few rows of the theater with their loud enthusiasm. A great night.

July-August '09: Played Dan, one of the brothers, in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at Artpark. Favorite moment: The Megamix! (It was during this time that I accidentally stuck a car key in my eye and scratched my cornea. I learned a big life lesson on this one: Don't put a key in your eye; it kinda f***ing hurts!)

Sept.-Nov '09: Music directed Jonathan Larson's "tick, tick...Boom!" for the Niagara University Theater Department. Great songs. A story that was kind of like hearing my own story every night.

Dec. '09: Music directed a new musical for Musicalfare Theatre called "Crossroad Blues," full of classic blues songs. Worked with a great cast!

So, in looking back at this past year of work, it has really been an eclectic and fun time. So many different styles of music, so many different settings and people. I'm very thankful that I have been given so many opportunities. Whether it was doing pop gigs of my own music or doing runs of theater shows, this past year has been full of emotion, family, friends and life.

2010, here I come!

Happy New Year, everybody!!]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#13 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#12 www.iradiola.com and request "It's Called Movin' On."]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#12 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#11 http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#11 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#9 http://www.singeruniverse.com/competitionwinner40-123.htm]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#9 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#10 www.sonicbids.com/jasonbravo

One is "I Can't Find Any Water" from the Artpark Amphitheater show. The other is "Please Don't Say You Love Me" from a video demo I did.

Check 'em out!]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#10 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#8
The crowd was really responsive and I had a great time. Check out the PHOTOS page for pictures from the concert!]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#8 Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#7
So visit the GUESTBOOK now (click on Guestbook at the right side of this page) and start submitting your ideas. I can't wait to hear WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND!]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#7 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#6
I just found out that I'm going to be the opening act for the rock band Pure Prairie League (their big hit was "Amie") at Artpark's Wednesdays on the Gorge concert series near Niagara Falls. Artpark is a 15,000 seat amphitheater, so this a big concert!

If you're in town, come out and enjoy the music and the beautiful grounds of Artpark. (www.artpark.net)]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#6 Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#4
You can also buy my CD and hear audio clips at: www.cdbaby.com/cd/JasonBravo Check it out! (Around Buffalo, it's also available at Borders, Barnes and Noble, and New World Records.)]]> http://jasonbravo.com/news.html#4 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Songs That Say It When You Can't Find The Words - Jason Bravo - News