Got Swank? Civisca Swings Rockwell Hall
Buffalo’s own Michael Civisca will be swinging Rockwell Hall in a rescheduled performance for Buffalo State College’s Great Performers Series. Born in Western New York, Civisca is one of the new voices devoted to reinventing and recreating the jazz standards in the Great American Songbook. Using his smooth baritone voice with finesse, he brings a contemporary sensibility and traditional flair to the music of such composers as Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart. Civisca’s talents have gone so far as to adding to the Songbook by writing and arranging brand new songs that reflect the same values and essence of this musical genre.
A Western New Yorker by birth, Michael Civisca began working as a professional singer in 1995. As a young musician, he was interested in the big band singers and studied what made their voices unique and interesting. Michael also learned the importance of a song's musical arrangement as an essential ingredient for telling its story.
Today, Civisca has several CDs to his credit, in addition to live concert appearances around the United States and Japan, Civisca appeared on the soundtrack of Mel Gibson's film Payback, was featured in PBS and NBC television concert specials, and starred in the Las Vegas cast of David Cassidy's The Rat Pack is Back. With his unique style, Michael Civisca continues to examine and recreate the sound of these songs while remaining faithful to the traditional genre.
Saturday, February 17, 2007, 8 PM. $30, Seniors/$27, Buffalo State faculty/staff: $27, Student Rush: $15 (cash only), available one hour prior to show only with valid student ID.
Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Rockwell Hall 210, Buffalo, 14222, Box Office: (716) 878-3005. (The concerts on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14 were cancelled due to the weather. Ticket buyers are being contacted by postal mail and email. If you have questions or concerns, please call the Rockwell Hall Box Office at 716-878-3005.)
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
Albright-Knox Increases Adult Admission
Though it may only be the fifth time since 1992 that the Albright-Knox Art Galley has increased its admission rate, the higher fee speaks to the changing face of our society and economy. To keep the gallery in good financial health, it is necessary to increase the price of a regular adult admission ticket from $10 up to $12. The new price will go into effect on January 1st 2009.
The director of the gallery, Louis Grachos, has said that due to higher costs in all areas of the gall … - Dec 18th 2008, 7:09pm
- Continue Reading
- 19 Comments
-
Rock and Roll Theatre
French satire from the 1600's feels like falling asleep in high school english class. But classic French satire with a rock and roll band? That sounds better. We can thank Andy Liegl for this bold modernity on December 26th when his production of Such Foolish Affected Ladies opens at the Alt Theatre. The original play calls for violinists but this role has been liberally opened up to local band The Nepenthe. "I wanted an indie rock sound, something that my generation can click wit … - Dec 18th 2008, 7:25am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
A Souvenir From Alleyway Theatre
It’s funny how history seems to repeat itself. Florence Foster Jenkins was in the elite member of society, but terribly eccentric and utterly convinced that she was a great coloratura soprano – despite the fact that she couldn’t carry a tune for even a few notes. She even managed to hold a sold out concert, even though she couldn’t sing! Sound familiar? Remember William Hung?
Jenkins’ story happened over 50 years ago. She would hold annual recitals in the Ritz Carlton h … - Dec 18th 2008, 6:51am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
New Magazine To Focus On The Local Art Scene
What could be more perfect to spread the news about local artists at the Buffalo Indie Market than a literary magazine that features works from local artists? NOMAD is a new magazine set to debut in January 2009 that will feature writers, poets, photographers, artists, and designers from the area. Erica Eichelkraut, a freelance photographer, created NOMAD and is bringing it to the public. Since Eichelkraut is a part of the Buffalo Indie Market, it wasn’t long before a collaborat … - Dec 17th 2008, 12:00am
- Continue Reading
- 2 Comments
Comment Options
BFLORome
Man...did Civisica swing with his trio last night! Our fave crooner delivered a memorable performance last evening before a nearly packed house @Rockwell Hall. The crowd showed their appreciation with two standing ovations for the wonderful arrangements (a collaboration of pianist Mike Jones and Civisca), song selections, and Civisca--who never sounded better.
Civisca's baritone voice is 'the total package' for this genre of music...Resonance, tonal quality, inflection, powerful or velvety--depending on the song selection.
A 'purist' to say the least when it comes to Civisca's knowledge, respect, appreciation, and original interpretation of 'The American Songbook'--he puts his own 'signature' on each selection.
Why a major label hasn't snagged this guy is beyond me. He's got it all over the over-produced likes of Michael Buble--who simply copies all of the old Sinatra arrangements from 'The Songbook' and doesn't have half the voice Civisca does.
Report this