ASIA AMERICA SYMPHONY 2008 SEASON

David Benoit, Music Director & Conductor

Friday February 8, 2008 – 8:00 PM
Harlyne J Norris Pavilion

Hot Hawaiian Night

Jake Shimabukuro
David Benoit Trio

David Benoit, piano
David Hughes, bass
Jeff Olson, drums

An Evening with Internationally acclaimed jazz Ukulele artist Jake Shimabukuro. One of the best, if not the only, jazz Ukulele player in the world! Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an “untapped source of music with unlimited potential.” His virtuosity defies label or category. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake’s mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more than only the traditional Hawaiian music many associate it. All the way from Hawaii, he will be performing with the David Benoit Trio.

Selections to be announced from the stage

This concert exclusively sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Friday April 4, 2008 – 8:00 PM
Harlyne J Norris Pavilion

An Evening With Jon Nakamatsu

Gold Medal Winner of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

Special “2 piano performance” with David Benoit, piano

Musicians of the Asia America Symphony Orchestra
Yun Tang, violin; Rong-Huey Liu, oboe; Qiang (John) Wang, viola; Darryl Tanikawa, clarinet; Catherine Chan Biagini, cello; Duncan Massey, bassoon; Rachel Berry, horn

Share a rare intimate evening with Gold Medal Winner of the Van Cliburn Competition, Jon Nakamatsu, up close in person. Also featured will be a special two piano performance of Gershwin’s "Rhapsody In Blue" with our own David Benoit, the Beethoven “Quintet for Piano & Winds” and the Schumann “Piano Quartet, Op. 47.”

Ludwig van Beethoven: Quintet for Piano and Winds in E flat, Opus 16
Robert Schumann: Piano Quartet in E flat, Opus 47
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - 2 piano version

Sunday May 4, 2008 – 7:00 PM
James R. Armstrong Theatre
Torrance, California

Asia America Youth Orchestra

Homegrown - The Music of America!
David Benoit, Music Director & Conductor
Joe Marino, Assistant Conductor

The Asia America Youth Orchestra returns at a brand new venue, the world class James Armstrong Theatre, in a program of all American composers including John Williams, David Benoit, and a special performance of George Gershwin’s, "An American In Paris." The winning composition of the new junior division of our International Composition for Orchestra Competition will also be performed. Many of our outstanding young AAYO members will be featured soloists this evening - all local - and HOMEGROWN!

John Williams: Selections from the motion picture “Superman”
David Benoit: Café Rio
John Williams: Theme from the motion picture “Schindler’s List” featuring Takanori Ohkubo, violin soloist
Leonard Bernstein: “Glitter and be Gay” from the musical“Candide” featuring Sierra Farber, soprano soloist
Junior Division Winner of the 6th Annual International Composition for Orchestra Competition
George Gershwin: An American In Paris

Saturday June 7, 2008 – 8:00 PM
Aratani Japan America Theatre
Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Los Angeles

Asia America Symphony Orchestra

David Benoit, Music Director & Conductor
Special guest:
Sadao Watanabe, saxophone

AASA delivers with top World Class Artists by presenting Japanese National Treasure, SADAO WATANABE.

Mr. Watanabe returns in a very special appearance with our full Asia America Symphony Orchestra. Also featured this evening: Beethoven's iconic Symphony #6 in F Major “Pastorale”, the Senior Division Winner of the 6th Annual International Composition for Orchestra Competition and the World Debut of "Dolores Del Carmen” for Spanish guitar and Orchestra composed by our own David Benoit.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony #6 in F, Opus 68 “Pastorale”
David Benoit: “Dolores Del Carmen” for Spanish Guitar and Orchestra
Senior Division Winner of the 6th Annual International Composition for Orchestra Competition
Sadao Watanabe: Selections to be announced from the stage