Bankhead Presents Program | December 2024
The Doo Wop Project Holiday Show
SUN DEC 8 @ 3 PM
The Doo Wop Project begins at the beginning: tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. In their epic shows The Doo Wop Project takes audiences on a journey featuring foundational tunes from the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through the vocal artistry of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to DooWopified versions of modern hits from Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, and Sam Smith.
Featuring stars from the Broadway hits Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical, and A Bronx Tale, The Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate—and in some cases entirely reimagine—the greatest music in American pop and rock history.
Tres Souls Boleros De Navidad
MON DEC 16 @ 7:30 PM
Beloved Los Angeles trio, Tres Souls has been capturing the hearts of Angelenos, one ballad at a time, (ABC7). For the last 13 years Rocio Mendoza, Roberto Carlos, and Jesus Martinez have serenaded audiences in LA and beyond, with their own interpretations of a genre called “Bolero.” They relive the vintage sounds and songs of the 1940s-1960s, stylized during the Golden Era of Mexican Cinema. “Through their expert musicianship and swooning vocals Tres Souls enchants audiences and transports them to a more romantic time.” (The Music Center)
Each member of the trio is an accomplished musician, and each inherited the knowledge and importance of Mexican heritage music through their family and generations before them. Jesus Martinez graduated from Berklee College of Music, Roberto Carlos has classical guitar training from Los Angeles City College and started performing professionally at the age of 15. Rocio Mendoza is a professional dancer and singer who received training from School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education in Ukiah, CA. In their own way Tres Souls are following in the footsteps of other “Trio Romanticos”, like Eydie Gorme Y Los Panchos, Los Tres Reyes and Los Tres Ases, while interspersing musical influences that can be heard echoing throughout the diaspora of Los Angeles.
Tres Souls perform around the greater Los Angeles area and beyond. Their past performances include: Walt Disney Studios for the premier of ‘Coco’ the movie, The Music Center 59th and 61st Annual Holiday Celebration on PBS, and most recently a sold out show at THE FORD theater in Hollywood CA.
Vive El Arte Residency Santa Barbara CA, Detroit Institute of Arts, Ossipee Festival, MN, San Francisco Jazz, Latino Arts Inc, Milwaukee WI, Kumbwaa Jazz, Santa Cruz CA, Open for Omara Portuondo, The Regent Theater LA, The Broad Stage, Santa Monica CA, AirBnB Open Spotlight, MOLAA Summer Concerts, Metro Arts Presents, Getty Sounds of LA, Sabor Annual Event Oahu HI Rosenthal Theater, Casa 0101, KPFK and KXLU in studio performance.
Kings Return Holiday Show
WED DEC 18 @ 7:30 PM
Dynamic and soothing four-piece vocal group Kings Return take pride in crafting a diverse yet supremely cohesive a cappella sound: The blend of their unique vocal timbres is so rich and so smooth that, at times, it sounds more like a full choir than a mere four men. Discovered after posting a series of bare-bones stairwell performances that went viral, their music is a balm to the soul, laced with expansive harmonies that flex the agility and effortless range of their vocal talent.
Their sound has earned comparisons to iconic acts like Take 6 and Boyz II Men. But what sets Kings Return apart is their seamless integration of a wide range of genres and styles. Drawn to the flexibility of a cappella music, they take full advantage of the genre-mixing aspects of the tradition. Their brand of R&B is entwined with free moments of jazz, soulful bursts of gospel, and bright touches of pop—all built on a solid, classical foundation. Theirs is the kind of talent that makes virtuosic performance look (and sound) like sublime, effortless playtime, defying the constraints of any single genre to explore a myriad of sonic shades and textures.
Kings Return was first conceived in 2016, when Kunda asked some friends to perform with him for a college recital. The a cappella performance captivated the crowd and soon led to local gigs, where the group cut their teeth before finalizing the lineup in 2020. Composed of tenor Vaughn Faison, bass Gabe Kunda, tenor JE McKissic, and baritone Jamall Williams, the Dallas-based quartet has since captured the hearts of millions of fans in-person and online. They earned their first taste of fame that summer, when they arranged, performed, and posted a video of their soul-stirring, a cappella rendition of “God Bless America,” which went viral. The next year, they posted a more classical a cappella performance of “Ubi Caritas,” which also went viral, amassing over 10 million views. A pivotal moment for the budding act, Kings Return began to shift away from a strictly gospel focus to explore a more diverse musical repertoire. They dropped their debut EP in December 2021, a warm, jazz-leaning holiday album titled Merry Little Christmas, followed by the June 2022 release of their stunning Bee Gees cover “How Deep is Your Love” off debut LP ROVE, which earned a GRAMMY nomination for “best arrangement instrumental or a cappella.” Epic, expansive, and polished, ROVE was released in September 2022, showcasing a nuanced attention to detail and a remarkable fusion of four distinctive, classically-trained voices into one elegant and intricate whole.
The group’s name perfectly embodies their intentions as artists: “Kings” because they possess a charismatic power, moving forward with confidence to conquer whatever challenges arise. The “Return” signifies another important part of their mission: to give back to the communities that have supported them along the way.
“We don’t use any instruments, and it can feel very vulnerable to perform on stage alone, especially as Black men — with all stigma that entails” says Kunda. “When we come together to do this vulnerable thing called a cappella, it strengthens our bonds. It makes us tighter as a unit and asn human beings. We want to be examples for other men like us.” Now after releasing their first full-length holiday LP, aptly titled We 4 Kings, in November 2023, Kings Return continues to defy expectations, charming audiences with their signature smoothness and sophisticated, down-to-earth charisma.
Mostly Kosher
MON DEC 23 @ 7:30 PM
Mostly Kosher, the acclaimed Klezmer/Rock band, radically reconstructs Judaic and American cultural music through ravenous klezmer beats and arresting Yiddish refrains. Mostly Kosher is a musical feast that explodes into a global food-fight of Jazz, Latin, Rock, and Folk. In response to the poetry and folk music of Judaic roots, their original voice resounds with themes of social justice, human dignity, and mutual understanding. Led by frontman Leeav Sofer, one of Jewish Journal’s “30 under 30” most accomplished professionals in the Los Angeles Jewish diaspora, Mostly Kosher is comprised of some of the highest regarded Los Angeles musicians: violinist Janice Mautner Markham, drummer Eric Hagstrom, bassist Adam Levy, accordionist Gee Rabe, trombonist Taylor Covey, and Aníbal Seminario on clarinet and sax.
Mostly Kosher is a fixture at renowned California stages such as the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Skirball Cultural Center, Torrance Center for the Arts, and Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. They have also graced the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a live television broadcast to over half a million viewers in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021. The ensemble has headlined multiple summer festivals including the Silicon Valley Jewish Music Festival, Claremont Folk Festival. Mostly Kosher had the honor of being the first Jewish music ensemble at the Disney parks with 2021 marking their fifth season performing during the 2-month long Festival of Holidays. Mostly Kosher was credited for “stealing the Festival of Holidays Show” by the acclaimed Fresh Baked Disney podcast. For the 2017 holiday season, Mostly Kosher added Epcot Center in Florida to their list of holiday performance venues, becoming Disney’s first Jewish cultural music performed on both coasts.
Staying true to giving back to the community, Mostly Kosher is proud to be teaching artists for Urban Voices Project, performing and educating in underserved areas in and around Southern California including prisons, community clinics and shelters serving men and women suffering from homelessness. Mostly Kosher is also a mentor ensemble to the Jewish Youth Orchestra, a project of the Jewish Federation of San Gabriel Valley, offering performance opportunities and ongoing workshops for middle school and high school musicians.
The band’s self-titled debut album has won international acclaim by World Music Network, Songlines Magazine, and BBC radio. The first track, Ikh Hob Dikh Tsufil Lib (I Love You Much Too Much), was recognized as one of World Music Network’s Top 6 Songs of 2014. Mostly Kosher’s music videos have been garnering accolades on the film festival circuit, receiving two nominations at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema and Best Music Video at the Glendale International Film Festival. 2021 marked the indie film debut of Mostly Kosher, as they will be featured in the wedding scene of the upcoming feature film, “The Accursed”, starring Izabela Vidovic and Melora Walters. Mostly Kosher kicked off their 2022 live performance schedule with a long-anticipated record release of “This World is Yours” on February 24th at the Skirball Museum, and a tour of Arizona beginning with the magnificent Chandler Performing Arts Center. Other performances in the 2022-2023 season include the debut of the Mostly Kosher family show, “Roots and Wings”, headlining the Ashkenaz Music Festival in Toronto, Canada, the largest Jewish & Eastern European event in the western hemisphere, and participating in “Secret Chord”, a live concert taping sponsored by the UCLA Department of Music and the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.
Jeff Bordes & Friends: Swinging in the New Year
TUE DEC 31 @ 8 PM
Get ready for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve at The Bankhead Theater, headlined by local jazz legend Jeff Bordes. With a storied career that includes collaborations with musical icons and a reputation for mastery on the trumpet, Bordes promises a performance that will set the stage for a memorable start to the new year. His artistry knows no bounds, blending captivating melodies and infectious rhythms to create an immersive musical experience. Beyond his performances, Bordes is a dedicated educator and composer, enriching the world of jazz with his passion and talent. Join us as we ring in the new year with Jeff Bordes, a true maestro of the genre, ON the Bankhead Stage!
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Join Our Challenge for The Arts Before December 31st!
UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery at the Bankhead Theater
Final Weeks!
Back to the Moon and the Stars Beyond
Now thru January 5, 2025
Thursdays — Sundays, 1 pm — 5 pm
FREE & OPEN to the Public
Discover captivating images of the universe, complementing the immersive experience of COSMIC ODYSSEY, that played onstage during October and November. Explore deep space discoveries and stunning visuals captured by the Hubble and James Webb Telescopes.
Calling all Livermore Lovers!!
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