Saxophonists and clarinetists Peter & Will Anderson shine the spotlight on the life and music of the legendary pianist and composer Duke Ellington and vocalist Louis Armstrong with a historical narration, entertaining video presentation, and live performance at their annual Songbook Summit, upcoming on August 13, 14, and 15 (Ellington) and August 20, 21 and 22 (Armstrong). There are two shows nightly, at 5:30 PM and 8 PM.
For Ellington, the Anderson’s will be joined by their six-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Molly Ryan and pianist Jeb Patton. For Armstrong, their ensemble will feature bassist and vocalist Vince Giordano and trumpeter Jon-Erik Kelso.
NiteLife Exchange Celebrates Will Anderson and Peter Anderson with Six Questions.
NiteLife Exchane (NLE) How and when did you decide to start the Songbook Summit series?
Will Anderson (WA): Our first “Songbook Summit” series was in August 2017 at 59E59 Theaters. For a while, we had a dream to showcase the geniuses of the Great American Songbook, highlighting the differences between their styles and impact on American Music. We had such a resounding reception that we decided to bring it back in 2018 and 2019.
Peter Anderson (PA): We started Songbook Summit in 2017 with the help of 59E59 Theaters. That year, we featured composers George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and Harold Arlen. My brother and I had been performing and studying the Great American songbook for years, but had never presented it in this format. It’s been a joy to present the music alongside video, and story behind each composer. We also learn a tremendous amount by mounting the production – We learn new songs and facts about the composer’s interesting lives.
NLE: Has it met expectation? What are your plans for the future of the series?
WA: We’ve been blown away with the response to our shows. It’s very rewarding to present something that is so special to us, and have so many people share our passion. We hope to continue the series beyond this year!
PA: We’ve had a blast producing and performing in Songbook Summit these last three years, and we plan on continuing it for the foreseeable future! After this summer we will have featured 10 composers in total. We’d love to stretch the bounds of the American songbook and include more composers, both well known, and unknown.
NLE: You have a very wide repertoire. What speaks to you the most and why?
WA: The union between the great songbook composers and the great jazz players is a special collaboration in American culture. The repertoire is extremely vast, with styles ranging from ragtime, tin pan alley, broadway, swing, and modern jazz. The timelessness of the songs is what speaks to us the most, which is why we feel Songbook Summit is so compelling. George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Irving Berlin particularly stand out as giants.
PA: This summer’s picks, Armstrong and Ellington, really speaks to me the most because both artists were top level composers and performers on their instruments. Their music is very intellectual. It’s based on European classical music, American blues, and swing era jazz. But it also has a very improvisational quality to it, as if it were composed right on the spot.
NLE: As members of the young jazz set, where do you see yourselves in the long term? What goals have you set for your careers?
WA: I want to keep creating a presenting the music I love. Exciting announcements will be coming soon!
PA: As long as I can keep performing, and producing new projects, I’ll be happy!
NLE: Can the importance of Duke Ellington as a contributor to American music ever be praised enough? Likewise, although he wasn’t a composer, how does Armstrong’s contribution/s resonate through the decades?
PA: Both Ellington and Armstrong were great composers. Armstrong has recorded dozens of original pieces, many of which will be featured this summer. Both Duke and Louis’ influence will be long lasting because it influenced all the music that came after them like American blues and rock and roll.
NLE: Who were your own biggest influences and/or mentors? How did they influence you?
WA: When I was in high school in Bethesda, Maryland, saxophonist Paul Carr was a huge influence. He taught me the nut and bolts a jazz saxophone playing, and prepared me for Juilliard. He also gave me a lot of valuable performance experience in the Washington DC area. He’s a fantastic teacher and entrepreneur, running the Jazz Academy in Washington and Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. When I arrived to New York, my saxophone teacher was Joe Temperley. I had never heard the saxophone played like Joe played. We talked about everything: rhythm, style, expression, and repertoire. Joe was honest and a real class act. I think about him everyday, and when he passed away, my brother and I raised $25,000 in his name to create a tribute album and student scholarship fund at Juilliard. For Songbook Summit 2019, I will be playing one of his saxophones that he passed on to me. Last but not least, Vince Giordano has been a mentor since arriving in New York. He’s opened me up into the world of 1920’s and 30s jazz, and I’ve been honored to perform with his band, the Nighthawks for the past 10 years. No one works harder and is more dedicated than Vince in this business. We’re thrilled to have him apart of the ensemble for week two celebrating Louis Armstrong.
PA: Our main influence by far was saxophonist Paul Carr, who was our private instructor in high school. He was incredible because he was very well versed in many styles of jazz. He’s always talking about music. He’s an extraordinary player, but he’s also very intellectual about jazz, knowing its history and roots. This is a big reason why my brother and I are able to produce Songbook Summit.
The Anderson Twins: Songbook Summit—Ellington and Armstrong plays at Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space 95th Street & Broadway, New York, NY For tickets, click here.
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