Showing posts with label Michael Dunford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Dunford. Show all posts

10/16/24

Symphonic Rock Pioneers Renaissance Featuring Annie Haslam Will Perform Their ‘In Gratitude’ Farewell Tour Fall 2024!


Renaissance, the legendary symphonic rock band featuring Annie Haslam, will be back in the US playing select dates from October 17th through October 31st. This will mark 54 years since the formation of the band and its 16th consecutive year of touring since its reactivation in 2009.

Renaissance leader and vocalist Annie Haslam remarked that “We are very proud but sad to announce our ‘In Gratitude’ Farewell Tour. Where did the time go? Looking back over the years, I believe we have made history in the worlds of Progressive and Symphonic Rock.”

The upcoming shows will include stunning arrangements of “Ocean Gypsy,” “Northern Lights,” “Forever Changing,” “Mother Russia,” “Carpet of the Sun,” “Ashes are Burning” and other favorite classics. Ms. Haslam will be joined on stage by long-time musical associate Rave Tesar on piano, along with Mark Lambert on guitars/vocals, Geoffrey Langley on keyboards/vocals, Frank Pagano on drums, percussion/vocals, and John Galgano on bass.

Annie Haslam noted that “Performing with Renaissance since 1971 has been my whole life. I still love singing these unique, surreal, dramatic and romantic songs and pairing up with some of the finest orchestras in the world. All of this was born from the music of Michael Dunford, John Tout, Terry Sullivan and Jon Camp combined with the emotional and poetic words of Betty Thatcher. Our music has filled the hearts and minds of many thousands of fans around the world. It started for me, with a dream from my childhood that ended in this miracle called Renaissance! Rave Tesar, is an extraordinary man and musician I have worked with in my solo band since 1989 and with Renaissance since 2009. He has also been a very big help in keeping the band 'alive'! Some very talented musicians have stepped into our band, and their devotion and hard work have added to the band’s touring longevity and personality.”

Renaissance is a band with a rich history unique unto themselves as progressive rock pioneers who rose from the ashes of the seminal UK rock band, The Yardbirds. Acclaimed for their unique blending of progressive rock with classical and symphonic influences, the band's career has spanned fifty plus years spearheaded by the 5-octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan. They are widely considered to be the band that most successfully and routinely utilized the sound of a full orchestra in their recordings.  

The band has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song “Northern Lights” that still demands airplay to this day.

Renaissance: In Gratitude Farewell Tour Dates 2024

Thursday October 17, 2024 – The Town Hall, New York, NY 

Friday October 18, 2024 – Lewis A. Swyer Theatre at the Egg, Albany, NY 

Saturday October 19, 2024 – The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT

Sunday October 20, 2024 – City Winery Boston, Boston,  MA 

Wednesday October 23, 2024 – The Theater at Innovation Square, Rochester, NY 

Thursday October 24, 2024 – Center for the Arts of Homer, Homer, NY 

Friday October 25, 2024 – The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ 

Saturday October 26, 2024 – Lansdowne Theater, Lansdowne, PA 

Tuesday October 29 & 30, 2024 - Edwardsville, IL, Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville IL (St. Louis, MO)

 

6/18/14

RENAISSANCE's SYMPHONY OF LIGHT Available As Classical Rock Band Plan 2014 Fall Shows


Symphony of Light's three bonus tracks include a song "Renaissance Man" dedicated to the memory of Michael Dunford, Renaissance's Late Great Songwriter and Guitarist


Renaissance have secured a distribution deal with Red River Entertainment, which now allows their new music to be heard worldwide.  The new album is called, SYMPHONY OF LIGHT and contains the songs of its 2012 release, GRANDINE IL VENTO, plus three bonus tracks: "Renaissance Man," "Immortal Beloved" and "Tonight.” 

“Symphony of Light” is the title track-about and dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci.  Also featured is "Renaissance Man," written by leadsinger Annie Haslam and keyboardist Rave Tesar in honor of the late Michael Dunford.  Michael joined Renaissance in 1970; in January 1971 Annie joined the band.  They continued touring and recording until 1987. In 2009 the band reunited, spearheaded by Annie and Michael for their 40th Anniversary tour, they continued to tour and write new songs.   

SYMPHONY OF LIGHT is now regarded as a true testament to the unforgettable melodies and love that Michael Dunford infused into his work. Michael died prematurely in late 2012 after GRANDINE was completed. The album starts off with powerful lyrics by Annie Haslam in the song "Symphony of Light" followed by "Waterfall," a song written about the rainforests in Brazil.  All the songs bathe the listener in flavors from far off countries, with lush orchestral arrangements and unusual lyrical content, with guest performances from Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and John Wetton (Asia).

SYMPHONY OF LIGHT's album cover was designed and painted by Annie Haslam, who has a flourishing career as an artist known for her unique, signature style.  Annie calls herself an “Intuitive Visionary Painter,” "I channel other dimensions, planes of existence, deep into space. I can tune into people, animals, situations, places, tangible and intangible, all from a simple thought and intention."

Annie has donated paintings to animal groups that include The Farm Sanctuary and the Humane Society of the United States for their fundraising auctions.  She paints musical instruments and has painted acoustic guitars for C.F. Martin Guitars (one of her guitars hangs in their museum) and electric violins manufactured by Mark Wood. Her work was on display at The Florence Biennale in Florence, ITALY in 2005. Fans have commented that looking at Annie's paintings is like looking at her music, and she displays her work at all her concerts for the fans to enjoy.

Nicholas J. Sands, director of Sands & Company Fine Art in New York City, heralded Annie's paintings as “magical, enigmatic and wondrous for their ability to take us to a far-away place… of fluid forms that are at once alien and familiar, primordial yet recognizable, which dance in an endless array of colors that are as rich and intense as molten lava.”

Renaissance is: Annie Haslam lead vocals, Rave Tesar keyboards, David J Keyes bass guitar, Jason Hart keyboards, Frank Pagano drums, Ryche Chlanda acoustic guitars.

TRACK LISTING
The Annie Haslam-painted cover of Renaissance's SYMPHONY OF LIGHT
1. Symphony of Light
2. Waterfall
3. Grandine il Vento
4. Porcelain
5. Cry to The World (guest appearance Ian Anderson on flute)
6. Air of Drama
7. Blood Silver Like Moonlight (Annie's duet with Asia's John Wetton)
8. The Mystic and The Muse
9. Tonight
10. Immortal Beloved
11. Renaissance Man


RENAISSANCE TOUR DATES
(Stay tuned to www.renaissancetouring.com as more dates are announced.)

October 23   Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
October 24   The Concert Hall, New York NY 
October 25   Keswick Theater, Glenside, PA
October 30   The Center for Arts in Natick, Natick, MA
October 31    Hart Theatre, Albany, NY
November 1  Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, NH
November 2  Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, MA

10/3/09

Jann Klose to open for RENAISSANCE 2009 this October (Pop singer/songwriter available for interviews in advance of shows)

Jann Klose will be opening for Renaissance on their 40th Anniversary Celebration this October. The tour will visit theatres and performing arts centers in the Northeast U.S. There are a total of nine shows. Headliner Renaissance features long time Renaissance members - singer Annie Haslam and guitarist Michael Dunford.

Jann has had a professional friendship with Annie, who saw and heard him perform at a record release party for a benefit album, SERENITY HOUSE, in September 2007. The following year the two collaborated, along with Renaissance's former keyboardist John Tout, and Jann's band for a sell-out show at the Sellersville Theater, in Sellersville, PA.

Jann's album, REVERIE continues to build momentum. The record has already become a critical favorite in regional America and is - as the LA Weekly states - becoming "a minor hit," heard on over 115 radio stations worldwide, including Sirius XM Radio in the U.S., the BBC in the U.K. and most recently, Prambors Radio in Indonesia.

Since the release of REVERIE, Jann has also opened for Jonathan Edwards, The Strawbs, Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root and performed with Rosanne Cash, Marty Stuart and Roger McGuinn at the Martin Guitar 175th anniversary concert. (He'll be opening for Marshall Crenshaw at the Sellersville Theater, in PA on October 24.)

Jann and his band supported Elliott Murphy on tours of the East and West Coast. The two are planning on more shows together later this year. Jann recently returned from a European tour, which included his second run of dates in the U.K. and Germany as well as Georgia, France and Ireland for the first time. In addition to radio airplay and extensive touring - over 100 shows in 2008 alone.

There are also free downloads of songs from REVERIE available at http://jannklose.com/audio.html Jann and his band have been receiving positive press for REVERIE:

“The first thing that's totally unmistakable about Jann Klose is that voice - which is just light years beyond that of the typical singer/songwriter...a sound that is classy, distinctive and often irresistible.”- The Springfield Republican, Advance Newspaper Wire Service

“Klose wins over the listener with his soaring voice, which may well be a staple of chamber pop for a long time to come.” - The Washington Post

“Born in Germany and raised in Africa, Jann Klose brings an element of world music to his adult-contemporary pop-rock. His latest record Reverie offers songs of thoughtful introspection and longing. Rich arrangements feature orchestral strings, jazzy horns and old-world accordion in addition to the standard bass, drums and guitar. Highlights include the melancholy 'Mother Said, Father Said' and Latin-flavored 'Clouds.'” - Performing Songwriter

Confirmed Jann Klose tour dates, Fall 2009
please visit http://www.jannklose.com for updates

October 6 Rams Head On Stage Annapolis, MD w/ Renaissance
October 8 German House Theatre Rochester, NY w/ Renassiance
October 9 The Concert Hall New York, NY w/ Renaissance
October 11 Keswick Theatre Glenside, PA w/ Renaissance (SOLD OUT!)
October 12 The Birchmere Alexandria, VA w/ Renaissance
October 13 The Egg Albany, NY w/ Renaissance
October 14 Whitaker Center Harrisburg, PA w/ Renaissance
October 16 South Orange Performing Arts Center South Orange, NJ w/ Renaissance
October 17 Xanadu Theater at the Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City, NJ w/ Renaissance
October 18 Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival Beacon, NY w/ Pete Seeger
October 24 Sellersville Theater Sellersville, PA w/ Marshall Crenshaw
November 4 Acoustic Long Island Saint James, NY
November 5 Clear Conscience Cafe Cambridge, MA w/ Lizanne Knott
November 16 Uncommon Ground on Devon
Chicago, IL
November 17 and 18: 12th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute Concert, Uncommon Ground Chicago, IL
November 20 The Blue Magoo Warren,OH
November 21 Rolling Plains Church Zanesville, OH
December 5 Stephen Talkhouse Amagansett, NY w/ Elliott Murphy
December 9 Johnny D's Boston, MA w/ Elliott Murphy
December 10 The Watercolor Cafe Larchmont, NY w/ Elliott Murphy
December 11 The Living Room New York, NY

http://www.myspace.com/jannklose
http://www.jannklose.com