When music is done right by real virtuosos and artists that have for years honed their craft, it defies definition and thus, Synergia Northwest 2011, like last year, is a challenge to try to explain to the uninitiated. However, I put in a concerted effort to tell the story on the front end the best I could with music and interviews here: SMI Radio Synergia Northwest 2011 Podcast
What also must be duly noted is that a virtual all-star team of musical artists lent their energy, talent and passion to a cause bigger than themselves, music education for kids via Music Aid Northwest.
Show Recap (For complete set listing and performers scroll down and visit, www.synergianorthwest.com.
Outside of The Moore Theater on 2nd Avenue, it was another dreary and grey May Seattle night. In deep contrast, inside the theater was a warm and colorful glow, as several hundred music lovers waited in anticipation for what would unfold that evening. With the music of Steely Dan playing out into the house, the Synergia Northwest Orchestra directed by Nikolas Caoile, took their positions on stage. At this point the house music faded, the stage lights slowly came up and orchestra opened the show with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture.
Geoffrey Castle then took the stage with his band and his trademark electric violin and performed "Istanbul" and a sample of "Streets of Inwood," slowly bringing the energy on the stage and in the theater up another notch. The intensity and passion would continue to build from there, as the musical journey continued on throughout the evening.
The night's tone was set as the Synergia Orchestra then performed and captured beautifully, the spirit of one of the most stunning American musical pieces ever written, a delicious medley from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story.
Power Pop and Punk meet Classical…
The energy at the Moore shifted gears again when power pop group,Tennis Pro’s quirky and punk spirited attitude crossed paths with the orchestral maneuvers from the "house band." The juxtaposition worked well and seemed to elicit a collective smile from the audience. Tennis Pro consists of: Sean Lowry (drums), David Drury (guitar/vocals), and Phillip Peterson (bass/vocals). Peterson performed double duty that evening, playing cello in the orchestra.
Keeping it real...
Some of the most moving moments of the evening was when Shawn Smith (Brad / Pigeonhead / Satchel) walked out on stage to perform with the orchestra. Smith’s voice was beautiful, haunting and soulful. His understated yet powerful performance of "Don’t lie to Me" challenges our leaders, the media, the people that surround our daily lives and ourselves to simply tell the truth and keep it real. Smith's authentic vocal and lyrical delivery demonstrated to the audience that they were in the presence of a true artist.
Smith also performed equally haunting; soulful and memorable versions of "Someday" as well as the title track from his "Wrapped in My Memory" LP.
After Smith's masterful performance, Master of Ceremonies and KMTT returning prodigal son, Marty Riemer introduced Music Aide Northwest President, Bob Tomberg at center stage to talk about music education and “The Music License Plate Bill” signed earlier in the week by Governor Christine Gregoire. (See Governor Christine Gregoire and Synergia Northwest say music does matter).
Act II…
After a brief intermission, the dynamic Kokon Taiko drums took to the stage and provided the audience a spectacular performance in authentic Japanese tradition. They would later perform with the Seattle Seahawks, Blue Thunder drum line and White.
The show had Heart…music…
After Kokon Taiko, the Synergia NW audience was treated to a medley of Heart classics by Heart by Heart which featured the original rhythm section of one of Seattle’s seminal rock bands, drummer Mike Derosier and bassist, Steve Fossen, as well as guitarist Scotty Olson, Castle and former Heart guitarist Roger Fisher. Rounding out Heart by Heart was the amazing Somar Macek on vocals. Like last year, she was able to effectively channel the great Ann Wilson’s soul and range, while putting her own stamp on Heart classics. Macek brought the crowd to their collective feet with a moving and flawless rendition of “Alone.”
A briefcase full of Blues Traveler and more…
Musical Director and Synergia NW creative director and pianist / keyboardist, Michael McMorrow brought an all-star group out on stage, comprised of vocalist and mouth harp master, John Popper and drummer Brendan Hill, (McMorrow, had previously played with Hill in a group named Stolen Ogre), Scotty Olson, Fossen and Macek and were later joined by Derosier, who partnered with Hill and brought down the house with their "drum duel," during the group’s performance of The Beatles epic, "Golden Slumbers" / "Carry that Weight" / "The End." The song was highlighted with Popper's patented blues harp riffs and pyrotechnics.
Blues Traveler will be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. They are working on a new record and will perform at the Snoqualmie Casino, August 5th.
SMI Radio had the opportunity to chat with Popper backstage prior to that show and will air next week during the SMI Radio Post Bumbershoot Special.
White on...
For several decadesYes have taken the stage after various arrangements of Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite.” In that great tradition the group White sauntered on stage after a live version of "Firebird Suite" courtesy of the Synergia Northwest Orchestra.
Alan White and his band White delivered a performance of "Ritual" (Nous Somme Du Soleil), a piece they performed last year with Tracy Bonham. Like last year, the show-stopping piece was one of the evening’s highlights. The band White features Robyn Dawn on vocals, Karl Haug on guitar, Steve Boyce on bass, keyboardist Jonathan Sindelman and a guest appearance by Music Aid Northwest VP and talented drummer, Reek Havok sitting in on percussion. As previously mentioned, The Kokon Taiko and Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drum lines provided a dynamic and powerful percussive display during the drum break.
For those that have not heard Yes perform this number live, it was a real treat and executed with all of the beauty and passion that Yes themselves have delivered in subsequent performances throughout the years. Dawn’s vocals soared beautifully and effortlessly over the orchestra and band and brought new life to a Yes classic. White also performed songs from their first record as well as "Changes" from the Yes blockbuster LP, "90125."
Queensryche commands the stage...
Another great Seattle music export took to the stage in the form of Queensryche. In what has to be one of the most moving and beautiful classic rock tunes ever written and performed. The progressive hard rock unit performed the grand and sonically brilliant, "Silent Lucidity" with full orchestra. Geoff Tate’s four octave range was on full display, as he moved effortlessly across the stage with the confidence and swagger of a seasoned professional.
Tate and band performed the Queensryche and Pink Floyd inspired number flawlessly with the power of the Synergia Northwest Orchestra behind them. The band’s guitarist Michael Wilton was unavailable to play that night so Roger Fisher stepped in and brought his own signature guitar tones and licks to augment guitarist Parker Lundgren, in what was one of the most memorable and moving performances of the evening. The group performed three additional numbers including "Around the World" from of their forthcoming album, "Dedicated to Chaos", to be released on June 28th, with full orchestra, to the wonderment and delight of the audience. The band also performed "Rhythm of Hope from "Tribe" and "Real World" from the soundtrack of "Last Action Hero," a song co-written with the late orchestral composer, Michael Kamen.
Instant Karma is gonna get you...
In the true spirit of synergy and Synergia, The show ended with a rousing and loose performance of the John Lennon and Plastic Ono Band's "Instant Karma," a tune that Alan White played on with Lennon during the original studio recording. This number was an all-inclusive performance featuring not only all of the musical performers but the audience as well.
Closing thoughts...
Synergia Northwest was again an ambitious undertaking and the type of show that one must truly experience to really get the full magnitude and soul of what this show truly was and is. Trying to describe a show like this is like trying to describe what a really good chocolate ice cream cone tastes like. Words simply cannot do it justice. One just has to taste the delectable delight and savor the various flavors to truly get the full and rich experience.
This was the second year of the show so this year's version seemed to flow and run smoother than last year with some nice seques in between some of the various musical numbers. Indeed, Synergy is created when things work in concert together to create an outcome that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Synergia Northwest 2011 did just that and significantly a lot more, for a good cause... music education.
Thank you...
Like last year, I would like to give a special thanks to Music and Artistic Director Michael McMorrow, Amy Elyse and their very professional staff for providing SMI and examiner.com access to cover the event as well as rehearsals for fans who may not have been fortunate enough to witness this amazing display of music and art.
I would like to also like to thank my partners Jerry & Lois Levin for helping tell the story by providing some stunning photos.
To see more of their work please visit: www.jerryandloisstudios.com.
Complete Synergia Northwest 2011 Set List
SET I
- Synergia Orchestra -Egmont Overture (Ludwig Van Beethoven)
- Geoffrey Castle - Istanbul
- Synergia Orchestra - Westside Story Medley (Leonard Bernstein)
- Tennis Pro w/ Synergia Orchestra - Rounding up the Frightened Pets
- Tennis Pro w/ Synergia Orchestra - Dance Hit Number 1
- Tennis Pro w/ Synergia Orchestra - We Put The Punk In Punctuation
- Synergia Orchestra Synergia Orchestra- Russian Easter Overture
- Shawn Smith w/ Synergia Orchestra -Don't Lie to Me
- Shawn Smith w/ Synergia Orchestra - Someday
- Shawn Smith w/ Synergia Orchestra - Wraped in My Memory
- Marty Riemer and Music Aid Northwest’s Bob Tomberg
SET II
- Kokon Taiko Drums
- Heart by Heart( Steve Fossen, Somar Macek) - w/Mike Derosier, Scotty Olson w/ Synergia Orchestra - Dog and Butterfly (Heart)
- Heart by Heart- w/ Mike Derosier,Scotty Olson w/ Synergia Orchestra - Alone (Heart)
- Heart by Heart - w/ Mike Derosier , Roger Fisher, Scotty Olson and Geoffrey Castle w/Synergia Orchestra - Magic Man (Heart)
- John Popper and Brendan Hill, Michael McMorrow, Scotty Olson, Steve Fossen, Somar Macek, Mike Derosier w/ Synergia Orchestra - Golden Slumbers /Carry That Weight /The End (Drum solo w/ Brendan Hill and Mike Derosier) (McCartney / Lennon)
- Synergia Orchestra & Alan White and White - Stravinsky Finale Firebird Suite
- Alan White and WHITE w/ Synergia Orchestra -Beyond the Sea of Lies (White)
- Alan White and WHITE w/ Synergia Orchestra -Changes (Yes)
- Alan White and WHITE w/ Synergia Orchestra w/ Kokon Taiko/Blue Thunder - Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) (Yes)
- Synergia Orchestra- China Doll (Garcia/Hunter)
- Queensryche - Silent Lucidity
- Queensryche - Rhythm of Hope
- Queensryche - Around the World
- Queensryche - Real World
- Encore: w/ all Synergia NW Artists and Audience – Barracuda (Heart) and Instant Karma (John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band)
