David Amram, an old friend of Jack and Neal’s from the New York days, invited Jami, me and her brother, John, to the premier of his new symphony, Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woodie Guthrie. The work was commissioned by Woody Guthrie Publications and was to have it’s world premier with the Silicone Valley Symphony on September 29th.
David had met Woodie while playing with Charles Mingus in 1956. Besides playing jazz, David was named "composer in residence" with the New York Philharmonic under conductor Leonard Bernstein. He has written scores for theater and movies, including Splendor in the Grass and The Manchurian Candidate. Also an author, his book Offbeat: Collaborating With Kerouac was released to critical acclaim.
This new work was being presented at the old Fox Theater in downtown San Jose. It is now called The California Theater, and is restored to all it’s beauty. We hadn’t been to a major symphony in many years so we were looking forward to it! John has played with David at many, many Beat functions over the years. Nora Guthrie (Woodie’s daughter) and her family were also there. Also on the bill was Beethoven’s Symphony No.6 in F major and Sinfonietta, Opus 60 by Leos Janacek. A wonderful, enchanting evening.
The after concert party was complete with champagne and snacks and we got to meet Nora and other members of the Guthrie family. Al Hinkle and his daughter Dawn were there as well, it is always a pleasure to visit with them both.
It was a wonderful evening and we thank David very much for including us for this historic event.
Until next month,
Randy
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