Acclaimed pianist, musicologist, and humorist John Eaton shares insights, fascinating observations, and performs selections from some of America’s legendary composers of Broadway and Hollywood musicals in this engaging and entertaining series. And, of course, he always takes requests!
Please Note: Individual sessions are now available for individual purchase.
APR 18 Richard Rodgers: King of the Broadway Musical
Though Rodgers’ sublime melodies stand by themselves, discover how they were formed and characterized by the lyricists with whom he worked, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein.
APR 25 Jazz, Folk, or Pop? The Paradoxical Genius of Hoagy Carmichael
Learn how Carmichael, starting as a jazz pianist and composer, evolved into the great composer of universally beloved songs such as “Georgia on My Mind,” “The Nearness of You,” and “Stardust.”
MAY 2 The Fabulous ’40s: A Rich and Diverse Musical Era
Beyond the great songs of WWII, the 1940s were memorably defined by the marvelous lyrics of Johnny Mercer (“One for My Baby,” “I Remember You”), the timeless songs of Irving Berlin (“White Christmas,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business”), and the new, smooth voice of Nat King Cole singing “Nature Boy.”
MAY 9 Hooray for Hollywood!
Everyone wrote for the movies: Harold Arlen for The Wizard of Oz, Jimmy Van Heusen for the Hope and Crosby “Road” pictures, George Gershwin for Fred Astaire’s movies, and Henry Mancini and Burt Bacharach for film scores.
4 sessions
Photo caption (above right): John Eaton
