@SteppenwolfTheatreCompany @LindyhopLTclub @lindyhoppers @JazzAndHeritage
In April 1997, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago) mounted a production of Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire.
I was contracted to compose original music for the production.
Director Terry Kinney wanted more than incidental music. He wanted to make the music an important part of the production.
I decided to compose a score that would emphasize the utter raw excitement of the 40's type of New Orleans music performed by the Black musicians of the time.
Specifically, create music that would not superimpose the stereotypical sentimentality of the "blue piano," as annotated in Tennessee Williams's play.
For this release, I created a fantasy live performance at an imaginary jazz bar in New Orleans called the Four Deuces.
The faux live recording was made the night before Blanche DuBois arrives to see her Sister Stella.
Stanley and Stella are at the club listening to the "Streetcar Stompers."
"Faux Streetcar Stompers:
Bid Tommy Tuttle - Trumpet
Willie Washington - Piano
Conrad Buckner - Drums
Pester Yettles - Acoustic Bass
Zoots Mason - Clarinet
Teddy Duster - Trombone
Henry Morkay - Banjo
Actual Performers:
Mat Lewis - Trumpet
Ben Lewis - Piano
Rick Vitek - Drums
Paul Martins - Acoustic Bass
Bob Frankish - Clarinet
Audrey Morrison - Trombone
Curt Morrison - Banjo
Recorded January 8th 1997 at Little Beck Recording Studios Chicago
Enginnered and Mixed by J. Kimo Williams
Additional recording, Editing and Mastering in 2024 at Little Beck Garage Stuido, Shepherdstown West Virginia