RSS 2.0 FeedDecember 21, 2011, Cover Stories, Classical, Jazz
Bluegrass holiday of brotherly love
Despite the drizzly and dreary weather, the music was sizzlin’ inside Helzberg Hall last Monday night, where DuPue Brothers Band warmed the audience with lively genre-crossing holiday cheer.
Christmas trees, rows of poinsettias, and projected snowflakes accented the Helzberg Hall stage, setting a festive mood for the Harriman-Jewell Series presentation of the DePue Brothers Band. Led by four violinist brothers—Alex, Wallace Jr., Jason, and Zachary—the group displayed a spellbinding level of energy and virtuosity all around. Starting the show with “The Fat Man” from their recently released album Weapons of Grass Destruction, DePue Brothers Band immediately let the audience know this will not be an average holiday concert with the same regurgitated arrangements.
The first half of the program featured spry fiddle work from all the brothers, especially on “Ding Dong Merrily on High/Good King Wencelas,” “Fiddle Faddle,” and “Sweet Georgia Brown.” Banjoist Michael Mumford received much attention on “Flint Hill Special,” showing off his fingerstyle picking on the bluegrass tune, and his own solemn arrangement, “Mike’s Medley of Carols.” Unfortunately the first half was marred with technical distractions, including persistent balance issues and a noisy snow machine.
After intermission, the show continued with light theatrics (an improvised fairy-ballerina dance by Wallace Jr.) and more displayed techniques and talents. Jason impressed on the technical and relentless “Dance of the Goblins,” and Wallace Jr. revealed his yodeling prowess on “Der Faderland.” Alex was featured heavily with some of the most exuberant playing of the night on his original songs, the relaxed “Shine” and darkly grooved “Mexico.” Youngest brother Zachary, while featured as a soloist the least, was equally remarkable in his violin dexterity, especially on the fastest bluegrass licks.
Drummer Don Liuzzi contributed several arrangements and one original tune, the slinky, bluesy “Plow Train,” and added variety with multiple percussion instruments throughout, most notably on the world premiere of his arrangement of “Pat-a-Pan” Monday night. Guitarist Mark Cosgrove added a bright texture and creative soloing with his flat-picking guitar style. Kevin MacConnell provided a steady foundation on both electric and double bass.
The band offered an enjoyable spin on a number of holiday favorites, including rich and lovely renditions of recognizable standards, Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” Bach/Gonoud's "Ave Maria," Pachelbel’s Canon in D, and selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, mixed with infectious, upbeat countrified tunes. After the final song, their vigorous take on the bluegrass song “Orange Blossom Special,” the band encored with a soothing “Silent Night,” sadly interrupted again by the snow machine.
DePue Brothers Band oozes charisma and humor, and knows how to make a holiday show with all the usual trimmings fresh, fun, and entertaining—not to mention their raw talent. Do these guys have a television special yet?
REVIEW:
Harriman-Jewell Series
DePue Brothers Band Holiday Concert
Monday, December 19, 2011
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
1601 Broadway, Kansas City, MO
For more information visit http://hjseries.org
Top Photo: DePue Borthers Band
Editorial Assignments Executive Editor; Traditional and New Classical Contributor
Kristin Shafel Omiccioli, a native of Madison, WI, holds composition degrees (M.M., B.M.) from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Kristin's compositions have been performed at national and regional new music festivals and conferences throughout the United States. During her time at UMKC, Kristin also focused on double bass performance and arts administration. She was a student leader and performer in many of the Conservatory's student organizations and ensembles, including Musica Nova, Composers' Guild, the Conservatory Student Association, the orchestras, and Wind Symphony. Her composition instructors were James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Zhou Long, and Chen Yi, and her bass instructor was Sue Stubbs. Formerly a guitarist, Kristin performed with big bands and her own jazz combo in Madison, WI, having studied jazz guitar and theory with Roger Brotherhood in Madison and jazz voice and theory with Hal Melia in Kansas City at UMKC.
Kristin enjoys being active in the performing arts community. She has volunteered with the Chamber Music Society of Kansas City and Charlotte Street Foundation, and has played in the bass section of the Northland Symphony Orchestra, among other bass gigs around the metro. Kristin currently serves as principal bass for the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and Heritage Philharmonic, and is a section bassist for Kinnor Philharmonic. She joined the writing staff of KCMetropolis.org in February 2010 and has been KCM’s executive editor since July 2011. Read her blog at mylittleheartmelodies.com.
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