The Cole Porter Songbook
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    The Cole Porter Songbook

    Music in the Afternoon

    When: Tuesday, 11/26/2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

    Where: Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall (Bldg F)

    Purchase Tickets

    Vocalist Noa Levy joins forces with fabulous pianist Art Khu, drummer Dillon Vado and bassist Daniel Fabricant, to bring to life Cole Porter's masterpieces. You will hear the likes of "Night & Day," "You're The Top" and "I Get a Kick Out of You." Get set for a de-lovely evening of a vibrant and heartfelt tribute to Porter's rich musical legacy.
    OFJCC Palo Alto JCC
    A rising vocal talent, Noa Levy is originally from Israel and of Egyptian-Polish background. Described by JAZZIT

    Magazine as "a unique vocalist, at the same time classic and contemporary," Noa excites audiences with her individual style, captivating stage presence and charming wit. Her debut album You, Me & Cole, a voice and bass tribute to Porter, garnered thousands of streams and rave reviews worldwide. Like a buttery cruffin, Noa is a tasteful hybrid of firecracker charisma with an emotionally expressive, beautiful tone that creates a fun and heartfelt performance.

    Art Khu is a multifaceted musician who has carved a niche for himself in the music world with his exceptional talent on a variety of instruments. His journey began at a young age, and over the years, he has honed his skills on the piano, organ, guitar and bass, blossoming into a vibrant career spanning over 35 years. His dedication to music is evident not only in his performances but also in his educational background and compositional endeavors.

    Khu's passion for music ignited at a young age. He immersed himself in classical piano studies throughout high school, receiving private instruction from Donald Currier at the prestigious Yale School of Music. He further enriched his knowledge by attending theory classes at Yale. This foundation set the stage for his formal training at the Oberlin Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. Following his graduation from Oberlin, Khu embarked on a successful career as a freelance jazz musician. Over the past three-and-a-half decades, he has graced stages worldwide, performing and teaching. He has collaborated with renowned artists like Jacqui Naylor, Laco Deczi, Donald Byrd and Idina Menzel, both in the studio and on international tours.

    Khu's creative talent extends beyond the realm of jazz. His compositional skills were acknowledged with a commission from the Oakland East Bay Symphony, enabling him to compose the "Symphony of Souls." The piece premiered on April 20, 2012, with Michael Morgan conducting the Oakland/East Bay Symphony, showcasing Khu's versatility and compositional depth. Currently residing in San Francisco, Khu continues to actively perform and share his musical knowledge by teaching. His dedication to his craft, combined with his extensive experience and collaborative spirit, solidifies his position as a prominent figure in the jazz landscape.

    Dillon Vado is an active professional drummer and vibraphonist in the San Francisco Bay Area. He grew up in San Jose, California, and started playing music at the age of 8. He learned a lot from a family friend early on in life and also played in school band programs throughout middle and high school. This fueled his interest in eventually marching snare drum with the Santa Clara Vanguard and studying music full time at West Valley College. 

    At West Valley, Dillon started playing the vibraphone, which eventually led him to being a more serious multi-instrumentalist. In 2012 Dillon transferred to the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley and went on to earn his bachelor's degree there in 2017. His performance experiences include playing in the South Bay scene at venues like the Art Boutiki and Cafe Stritch, marching snare drum with the Santa Clara Vanguard, recording at Fantasy Studios and playing with other professionals at The Freight and Salvage, Yoshi's and the SF Jazz Center. He has played at local festivals such as the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and the Fillmore Jazz Festival in San Francisco. He has also performed overseas at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy. Dillon has performed with Art Lande, Marcus Shelby, Hafez Modirzadeh, Royal Hartigan, Erik Jekabson, Jeff Denson, Alan Hall and Marcos Silva. In 2014, Dillon won first place in the Jazz Search West competition on vibraphone and in 2017 was selected for the Buddy Montgomery Jazz Legacy Award through the California Jazz Conservatory. Dillon can be found playing actively with Alan Hall's Ratatet, Erik Jekabson's String-tet, the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra and many other creative musical endeavors led by his peers around the Bay Area. He also leads several projects of his own, including Never Weather, Beyond Words: Jazz and Poetry, and The Table Trio.

    Daniel Fabricant may be the most versatile bassist in San Francisco—and the most in-demand. Playing upright or electric, he can adapt to a wide range of musical settings, from intimate chamber groups to sprawling dance bands and Latin ensembles. In his decade on the San Francisco scene, he has played as a sideman with dozens of San Francisco groups and is a founding member of the award-winning Nice Guy Trio. Fabricant has performed internationally with Piaf! The Show, The California Honeydrops, Michael Feinstein, Liza Minnelli, Betty Buckley, Joan Rivers, Spencer Day, Ann Hampton Callaway, Petula Clark, Dan Hicks and Mary Wilson of the Supremes, among many others. In the Bay Area, he regularly performs with Rupa and the April Fishes, Redwood Tango Ensemble, The Cosmo Alleycats, Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers and Gaucho, along many others. He has appeared at SFJAZZ, Monterey Jazz Festival, Yerba Buena Gardens, Yoshi's, The Freight and Salvage, and the Feinstein's at the Hotel Nikko, and New York City venues including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Café Carlyle and The Algonquin.   

    Senior Programs are made possible in part by generous contributions from the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund, the John R. Schwabacher Family, as well as many other individual donors. We are grateful for their generous support.

    Tuesday, November 26
    1:00–2:00 PM | Doors open at 12:30 PM | The Nourish Cafe by Tony Caters on campus is open for lunch before the concert. Linger after the concert for free snacks and beverages in the lobby.
    Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall (Bldg F)
    $15 purchased online by November 18 | $25 after November 18 and at the door
    Contact: Michelle Rosengaus | [email protected]
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