An exciting lineup of musicians will play for a worthy cause April 8, 2015 at Catalina Bar & Grill at 8:30pm. Famed fusion, Grammy nominated bassist Bunny Brunel and award-winner producer, singer and flutist Kaylene Peoples are celebrating the release of their respective CDs (Invent Your Future and My Man) to raise money for the exciting new charity Bella Composers. This benefit concert promises to be a night to remember. Star Trek actor Chase Masterson will be hosting the evening; and multi-Grammy nominated recording artist Patrice Rushen will be featured on piano. The rest of the lineup includes Grammy-nominee guitarist Tony MacAlpine, legendary drummer Tom Brechtlein, saxophonist Doug Webb, guitarist Mark Hammond, and percussionist Monette Marino.
Bella Composers was conceived by Kaylene Peoples, who is also a composer, orchestrator, and conductor. “I have always had a passion for traditional forms of music. Having written several sonata-style chamber pieces, including compositions on a grand scale, I am excited to spearhead an organization that will offer satisfying opportunities to what seemed like for centuries an unlikely demographic. I always throw people off with the questions, ‘Did you know Mozart had a sister? Did you know she was a composer, too?’” —Kaylene Peoples
Pre-dating medieval music, and as early as the 8th century are documented compositions written by women in the papacy that have long been forgotten. We assume that popular “classical” music is gender-specific.
“When non-music scholars were asked if they knew that women were/are composers too, most people were surprised by that information, or they lumped together popular songwriters in the recording industry into the same category as classical and neo-classical composers. Not to diminish those accomplishments, but it just isn’t the same as a Wagner, Beethoven, or Chopin. Just turn on any classical station; you’ll be waiting days to hear a composition written by a woman. Yet those compositions are out there, and those female composers did and do exist,” continues Peoples.
Bella Composers is a charity designed to give women composers exposure. The organization will be launched with a composer’s competition in which five women are chosen to have their original music performed by a live orchestra in a performing arts center or traditional concert setting. One of the female composer’s works will be presented posthumously, resurrecting her composition for the world to hear. How does it all work? Composers submit scores; a panel of composers/orchestrators rank the top finalists; and the top five winning scores will be performed live by famed virtuosos at a top Los Angeles venue, kicking off what will become an annual event. There are no restrictions, just that you have to be born a woman.
“Women musicians and composers do not get recognized as much for their talent and value as do men. Bella Composers is changing the way they are perceived in the industry and general public.” —Bunny Brunel
On April 8, 2015, at Catalina Bar & Grill, there will be a red carpet; Producer/Executive Producer of Girls in the Band Michael Greene will be speaking; and a short documentary will be screened about Bella Composers. In addition to the superb music that evening, there will be a few “surprise” guest performers. Sponsoring the event are SIR Studios, The Mouse House, Agenda Magazine, Boogsey Music, NIKAIA Records, Victor Alfaro Productions, and Spacefather.com.
Invited Guests: Michael Greene (Film Producer, Former President of NARAS & the Grammy’s), Clint Eastwood, Sheila E. (Grammy-winner percussionist), Bobby Lyle (Emmy-nominee, Platinum-selling artist), Ernest Thomas (Troop, Multi-Grammy winner), Steven Russell Harts (actor – Everybody Hates Chris, Malcolm X), and more.
April 8, 2015 at 8:30 pm – 10:30pm (Doors open at 7pm)
Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA
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