Kenny Vance heads to Trinity-on-Main (bristolpress.com)
NEW BRITAIN — You’ve read the ads. You’ve heard the news. Yes! Back by
popular demand: Kenny Vance and the Planotones: Unplugged. This Saturday
night at Trinity-on-Main. Live! Up close! Personal! Among today’s great vocal pop musicians, Kenny Vance and The Planotones have voices of original and inviting dimension. The
group, Kenny Vance, Johnny Gale, Kurt “Frenchy” Yahjian, Jimmy Bense,
keyboardist Chip Degaard and Tony Gallino on drums, redefine oldies with
vocal authority and freshness. As exemplified by their signature
song, “Looking For An Echo,” their material may be out of the 1950s and
1960 s.Yet, they consistently bring a unique and sophisticated point of
view to their music. Call them “classicists,” who open the eyes of a
new generation to a rich, historical musical style. Their cool and
sultry musical approach is like an unexpected gift to someone hearing
them for the first time. The Planotones redefine oldies with vocal authority and freshness.
As
a kid in New York, Vance was captivated by rock ’n’ roll. At 15, he was
hanging around the Brill Building meeting other singers and songwriters
and eventually formed the widely acclaimed group “Jay and The
Americans.” The group recorded 15 albums, toured extensively and opened
for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. In the years that
followed, Vance produced the first record for Walter Becker and Donald
Fagen — Steely Dan. In his early 20s Vance remained with Jay and The
Americans throughout their 11-year career. He went on to compose,
supervise and produce scores and soundtracks for feature films and
television bringing the Alan Freed story, “American Hot Wax,” to musical
life by recreating groups of the ’50s and ’60s for the screen.
Vance
acted as musical director for “Saturday Night Live” and music
supervisor for such films as “Animal House,” “Eddie and The Cruisers”
and “Looking For An Echo.” As an actor he appeared in “Hurly Burly,”
“Billy Bathgate,” “American Hot Wax,” “Eddie and The Cruisers” and in
Woody Allen films, including Allen’s untitled upcoming feature. Vance
says he likes to hit the high notes best. His range, clarity and
emotional fidelity have led The Planotones to new musical heights. Saturday evening will feature three hours of music, as well as conversation, questions and answers with Vance and the audience.
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