The Clarion at Brazosport College is readying up for an exciting performance season full of versatile artists from the worlds of country, jazz and pop music.

The Clarion will feature a performance season of seven events, along with two special events.

The season of seven begins with country-crossover legends Restless Heart on Sept. 30. Opening for Restless Heart will be local singer Jeff Jenkins, who was featured on the NBC competition, “The Voice.”

The season continues on Oct. 29 with Western music pioneers Riders in the Sky, followed by a special Christmas performance by the Celtic Tenors on Dec. 2. Then on Jan. 21, the Brazosport Jazz Orchestra will team up with saxophonist Mindi Abair.

Riders in the Sky will offer two shows, both on Oct. 29, including their Saddle Pals children show at 2:30 p.m. and their traditional cowboy concert at 7:30 p.m.

The final three performances of the season include pianist Paul Cardall on Feb. 25, the a cappella group, The Swingle Singers on March 23 and the orchestral sounds of Mercury Baroque on March 31.

The Clarion also will host two special events, with six-time Grammy nominee and jazz-fusion guitarist Mike Stern on Nov. 18 and pop artist Los Lobos on Feb. 3. The Los Lobos concert will be at the new Dow Academic Center.

Season tickets are available for the seven performance season shows, as well as an option to pick four shows. Special event tickets are also on sale. Call the Clarion box office at (979) 230-3156 or log on to clarion.brazosport.edu to learn more.

The following is a closer look at the 2011-12 artists scheduled to perform:

Restless Heart with Jeff Jenkins
(Sponsored by STP Nuclear Operating Company)
Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35 Adults/$30 BC Employees and Seniors/$10 Students and Children

With 26 hit songs and numerous gold albums to their credit, Restless Heart is arguably one of the most successful country-crossover groups of all time. Since 1985, the vocal style of Restless Heart has become instantly identifiable as the group that brought a new, contemporary sound to Nashville. Hits such as “I’ll Still Be Loving You,” “Tender Lie,” “Why Does It Have To Be (Wrong or Right),” “When She Cries,” “Bluest Eyes In Texas” and “Dancy’s Dream” have left an indelible mark on country and popular music. Having grown and endured challenges through the years, after a brief hiatus, the spark was re-ignited, putting Restless Heart back on the road. All five original members — Larry Stewart, Paul Gregg, John Dittrich, Dave Innis and Greg Jennings appear together on stage at the Clarion for one unforgettable night. Opening for Restless Heart will be Jones Creek’s Jeff Jenkins, who became a familiar name to Brazoria County residents thanks to his participation on the NBC hit singing competition, “The Voice.”

 


Riders in the Sky
Oct. 29, Saddle Pals show at 2:30 p.m.; Cowboy Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Saddle Pals: $10 Parent/$5 Children;
Cowboy Concert: $35 Adults/ $30 BC Employees and Seniors/$10 Students and Children

For 30 years, Riders In The Sky has been keeper of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing the genre. While remaining true to the integrity of Western music, they have become modern-day icons by branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit, while encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes to live life “The Cowboy Way!”
“Yippee-yi-yo and away we go!” Little cowboys and cowgirls can sing along with Riders In The Sky as they perform their “Saddle Pals” show that the whole family will enjoy. Even Sidemeat gets into the action to learn his ABC’s “The Cowboy Way! The grown up buckaroos and buckarettes can join Riders In The Sky as they perform their classic Cowboy Show at 7:30 p.m.

Mindi Abair with the Brazosport Jazz Orchestra
(Sponsored by Freeport LNG/Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical)
Jan. 21, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35 Adults/$30 BC Employees and Seniors/$10 Students and Children

You may have seen saxophonist Mindi Abair when she recently appeared on American Idol and stole the show from contestants Paul McDonald and Casey Abrams. Even Steven Tyler was blown away by her performance saying “…who’s the saxophone player?” Mindi is no stranger to the spotlight. For nearly two decades, she has been appearing on stage with some of the biggest stars in popular music, including Duran Duran, John Tesh, the Backstreet Boys and Mandy Moore. Mindi is more than a sidekick, she is a solo artist in her own right. As a solo artist, she has not only set sonic trends, but has broken all the boundaries as she continues to define the less traditional future of jazz. Her own brand of pop and soul meets jazz adds a refreshingly unique voice to an exciting new generation of crossover artists. Mindi appears at The Clarion as the special guest soloist with our own Brazosport Jazz Orchestra.

Los Lobos – At the Dow Academic Center
Feb. 3, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35 Adults/$30 BC Employees and Seniors/$25 Students and Children

From their timeless classic hit “La Bamba” to their latest CD “Tin Can Trust” to their feature on the soundtrack for Rango, the animated comedy featuring Johnny Depp, the multiple Grammy Award-winning band Los Lobos has been redefining the sound of popular music for almost four decades. This Mexican-American, roots-rock group’s distinctive sound draws equally from rock, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues and traditional Spanish and Mexican music. Their music never sounds forced or self-conscious. Instead, all of their influences become one graceful, gritty sound.

This concert will be in the Dow Academic Center on the campus of Brazosport College.

Paul Cardall
(Sponsored by TDECU Investments)
Feb. 25, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 Adults/$20 BC Employees and Seniors/$10 Students and Children

Award-winning pianist, lecturer and author Paul Cardall has entertained sold out audiences and inspired people worldwide. His latest studio album titled "New Life" debuted as the #1 Billboard New Age Album in February 2011.
Born with essentially half-a-heart or a form of congenital heart disease, Cardall was given only days to live but defied medical expectations, enduring a series of surgeries and illnesses throughout his lifetime. After receiving a heart transplant in September 2009, Cardall wrote a memoir chronicling his experience, "Before My Heart Stops" published by Shadow Mountain. After receiving his heart transplant, Cardall established The Paul Cardall Family Foundation for Congenital Disorders and created an endowment at Salt Lake Community College, providing an opportunity for students born with abnormal birth defects, which have mounting medical bills, an annual full ride scholarship. 

In Spring 2011, the state of Utah and Salt Lake Community College awarded alumnus Cardall with an honorary doctorate of humane letters at their 2011 commencement. Previously, he was honored with the distinguished alumni award.

Swingle Singers
(sponsored by Gordon & Nancy Wollam)
March 23, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 Adults/$20 BC Employees and Seniors/$10 Students and Children

If you happened watched the much-anticipated pilot TV episode of "Glee", you might have recognized a familiar-sounding vocal group on the soundtrack. The Swingles were featured throughout the 45-minute long episode on 14 different occasions with the songs "Flight of the Bumblebee," "Soul Bossa Nova," "Golliwog's Cakewalk," "A Fifth of Beethoven," "Moonlight Sonata" and others. “Glee” was not the first TV soundtrack for the Swingle Singers. The eight-person, a cappella group from the UK recorded frequently for the television shows, “The West Wing,” “Sex in the City” and “Miami Vice.” Founded by War Swingle more than 25 years ago, the group has produced five Grammy Award-winning albums and collaborated on a number of hit singles.

Mercury Baroque Orchestra
March 31, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 Adults/$20 BC Employees and Seniors/$10 Students and Children

Superstar baroque violinist Monica Huggett makes her debut performance with Houston’s Mercury Baroque in an exciting program of diverse repertoire. Known for her technique and musicality, Huggett will lead Mercury Baroque through concertos by Leclair, Locatelli, Van Wassenaer and Vivaldi. Don’t miss this chance to hear one of the world’s leading baroque violinists.

Now in its 11th season, Mercury Baroque has charmed audiences and critics the world over with its passionate and exciting performances of Baroque music on period-accurate instruments. Mercury Baroque performs a subscription series of concerts in downtown Houston, other Houston-area communities and tours both domestically and internationally. Last season, Mercury Baroque made its European debut with five critically acclaimed performances of Lully’s opera Armide in Paris. In addition to frequent performances, Mercury Baroque is also dedicated to educating future audiences and training the city’s future musicians. Mercury’s educational outreach programs have reached more than 10,000 children in the past five years alone.