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Noel Freidline and Maria Howell define chemistry. Musically they breathe as one, communicating almost telepathically as they explore and re-interpret some of the best music of the last 80 years. Always approaching the music from “the left,” Noel and Maria have made a name for themselves as they offer listeners something they have heard, but that they have never heard before. Combine this fresh musical approach with a rapport and witty banter that harkens back to the days of the Rat Pack, and you have Noel and Maria in their element: on stage, thrilling an audience at every turn.
A genius of modern music, Stevie Wonder had 20 number one hits. His music has become the soundtrack of an entire generation. A musical renaissance man, Wonder can do it all. It could be argued that he is one of the most gifted and influential composers, vocalists, instrumentalists, producers and social activist of the 20th century. The Noel Freidline Quartet will be joined by vocalist Adam McKnight (Elton John, Maroon 5) and vocalist Maria Howell (“The Color Purple,” “The Hunger Games,”) and guitarist Eric Brice (Chaka Kahn) in a jazz celebration of the music of Stevland Judkins Morris, better known as Stevie Wonder and some of Wonder’s hits including “My Cherie Amour,” “Superstition” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” “Living for the City” and many more.
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Scan the audience of a Ray Charles concert and one would have seen an almost perfect cross-section of American culture, Charles’ fans representing every age, race, and ideology. Combining gospel music with secular lyrics, Ray Charles became the father of soul music. With a signature sound, Ray Charles music is undeniably universal. He definitely put the “soul” in soul music! “Georgia On My Mind” “What I Say” “I Can’t Stop Loving You” “I’ve Got a Woman” and many more.
John, Paul, George and Ringo. No last names needed. The Beatles were that iconic, innovative and influential. In less than ten years they redefined pop and rock and pointed the way as to how music would be created for the next 40 years. Not the least of their contributions may be a lexicon of songs that can stand up to reinterpretation and recasting into most any genre. Their masterful melodies and strong harmonic approach makes their music a perfect jumping off point for jazz musicians. The Noel Freidline Quartet presents an evening of masterful reimagining of some of the Fab Four’s most well known songs.
Mention piano players and the discussion will quickly move to Elton John and Billy Joel. The two iconic piano men helped define the 70’s and 80’s. Masters of some of the most indelible melodies in pop music history, Elton John and Billy Joel easily helped write the soundtrack for more than two decades.
Piano man Noel Freidline will be joined by his masterful quartet and vocalists Adam McKnight and Maria Howell. Adam was the vocal arranger for Elton John, touring and performing with him everywhere from Madison Square Garden to Live-8. Actress/vocalist Maria Howell has appeared in everything from “The Color Purple” to “The Hunger Games,” “Hidden Figures,” and many more.
The show will feature some of their biggest hits: “New York State of Mind” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Only the Good Die Young” and “Rocket Man.” You won’t be required to sing along, but it certainly won’t be discouraged!
Dubbed "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. She worked with all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong. She performed at top venues all over the world, and packed them to the hilt. Her audiences were as diverse as her vocal range. They were rich and poor, made up of all races, all religions and all nationalities. In fact, many of them had just one binding factor in common - they all loved her. Join Maria Howell and the Noel Freidline Quartet as they present the best of “Lady Ella” from the hit that launched her “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” to “Summertime” and her raucous rendition of “Mack the Knife.”
They debuted as The Chicago Transit Authority, until the actual CTA forced them to change their name. Shortening it to simply Chicago, they have become a legacy of rock, horn and hits. A band that defined the 70’s and the 80’s, come catch classic tunes such as “Saturday in the Park” “25 or 6 to 4” “You’re the Inspiration” and “Colour My World”. Enjoy an evening of hits from one of the greatest horn bands in the history of rock and roll.
27 number 1 hits, over 60 top 10 hits. Motown had so many hits that one could put together five separate shows of their music and still have plenty of songs left over. The exemplary songwriting of Smokey Robinson, Holland/Dozier/Holland, as well as Berry Gordy himself along with the musical interpretations by such legends as Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Four Tops and many more has left us with a repertoire that is prime for reinterpretation. Join Noel & Maria as they reinterpret and reimagine the music that defined the 60’s, the Motown Sound.
Join Noel Freidline & Maria Howell as they celebrate the season with their annual Christmas show “Noel & Maria: Home for the Holidays”. On the heels of their 2019 release “Merry Christmas My Dear”, Noel & Maria are joined by an all-star ensemble as they reinterpret Christmas classics as well as contemporary holiday favorites such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Here We Come A’Wassailing,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (with a ‘Dave Brubeck’ twist!), and many, many more!