The ESO plays Zappa

Almost eight weeks ago I learnt that one of The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra‘s 2010-11 Symphony Specials would be a performance of Frank Zappa compositions by a rock group fronted by two Zappa alumni – Ed Mann and Ike Willis – and backed by the ESO on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 at 7:30pm at Edmonton’s Enmax Hall in the Winspear Centre (see above).

Details were sketchy (such as which Zappa pieces would be performed) and information would appear and disappear from the ESO site, then be replaced by more up-to-date information. As the concert date drew closer, though, so did local excitement and enthusiasm for the show (whatever the setlist may be – featuring music from Yellow Shark, Joe’s Garage, and Over-nite Sensation).

I managed to track down this interview with Ed Mann on a local City TV early morning news program called Breakfast Television, click here (imagine, Ed Mann living in Edmonton… I know quite a few Zappa alumni have taught workshops at the local University and Colleges).

For more info directly from the ESO, click here, and read the promo in one of Edmonton’s local alternative art newspapers, here.

Author: urbangraffito

I am a writer, editor, publisher, philosopher, and foole (not necessarily in that order). Cultural activist and self-described anarchist.

7 thoughts on “The ESO plays Zappa”

  1. you may be warned there is a lot coavert programming in zappas music
    wich will evetually hir you ……………………

  2. Who is that annoyingly over-enthusiastic host? (rhetorical question–i don’t want to know!) That guy is trying so hard to be cool & hip: c’mon Edmonton you can do better than that!
    This event should be worth it just for the chance to see Ike in a tuxedo(?)!
    I recall Ed Mann was living in Connecticut a few years back(?)–he’s moving around and staying busy in music–good for him!

  4. [quote comment=”26047″]Who is that annoyingly over-enthusiastic host? (rhetorical question–i don’t want to know!) That guy is trying so hard to be cool & hip: c’mon Edmonton you can do better than that!
    This event should be worth it just for the chance to see Ike in a tuxedo(?)!
    I recall Ed Mann was living in Connecticut a few years back(?)–he’s moving around and staying busy in music–good for him![/quote]

    That “over-enthusiastic host” is Ryan Jespersen, Harry. He’s been annoying me and my fellow Edmontonians for years now. The following Edmonton Journal article informs us that Ed Mann “has actually been living right under [our] noses in Edmonton. The percussionist, keyboardist and sound designer has been here on and off for a few years, with the last year being more on than off. Lured here for a residency at the University of Alberta in 2009”:

    http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Busting+boundaries/4439325/story.html

    [quote comment=”26336″]Is there a set list available from the show?[/quote]

    Thus far, can’t track down a set list, EB, yet here’s a review from See Magazine, a local alternative arts newspaper:

    http://www.seemagazine.com/edmonton-blogs/seen-heard/2011/03/16/live-music-review-the-eso-does-zappa-270/

  5. [quote comment=”26405″]… here’s a review from See Magazine, a local alternative arts newspaper:[/quote]
    What a wonderful review. Some people can express themself so you say to yourself “That’s exactly how I would have said it, If I only could have found the right words”. Pleasant reading and a very nice concert, it seems.

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