7:30-9:30 pm Saturday, September 14, 2024
Second Stage | Amherst (194 2nd Street, Amherst)

Amherst Glebe Arts Response, Inc. (AGAR) presents
internationally known jazz vocalist Stephanie Nakasian
in a sextet of nationally known instrumentalists
​Robert Redd, piano; Karl Kimmel, bass; Tony Martucci, drums;
Marty Nau, saxophones; and Aaron Eckert trombone; 
in an exciting tribute to lyricist and songwriter
​Johnny Mercer (1909-1976).
Johnny Mercer was born in Savannah, schooled in Virginia, and then headed to New York when he was 19. He loved the music of Harlem in the 20s and became friendly with Irving Berlin who he wrote music with as well as with Harold Arlen. An early writing partner was Hoagy Carmichael. Mercer moved to Hollywood where he won four Academy Awards for Best original song for lyrics to “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” (1946, music by Harry Warren); “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” (1951, music by Hoagy Carmichael; in 1961 for “Moon River” (1961, music by Henry Mancini) for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and for “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962, music by Henry Mancini). Mercer was nominated 18 times for “Best Original Song.” He also wrote several original songs for James Bond Films. The Highest award of the “Songwriters’ Song of Fame” is the “Johnny Mercer Award,” for lifetime achievement. Mercer has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and his portrait appears on a 1996 U.S. postage stamp.
​Stephanie Nakasian first came to international attention when she sang and toured from 1983 to 1984 with Jon Hendricks and Company. She then toured and recorded as a lead vocalist with pianist Hod O'Brien, her husband and musical partner for 36 years and the father of their daughter, jazz singer vocalist Veronica Swift.
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Stephanie has appeared frequently as a guest artist with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band on their internationally syndicated public radio show, Riverwalk Jazz to portray a variety of jazz singers. More recently, she portrayed herself on the show with Dick Hyman for tributes to composers Hoagy Carmichael and Walter Donaldson. Stephanie appears at international festivals and national music education conferences including the MENC, MTNA, and IAJE nationals. She has appeared in concerts as a featured performer alongside important figures in jazz, including Urbie Green, Pat Metheny, Clark Terry, Scott Hamilton, Hank Jones, Roy Haynes, Philly Joe Jones, and Annie Ross. She also tours regularly and teaches both at UVA and online.

AGAR and Stephanie Nakasian are celebrating two events with this concert. One is Stephanie’s 70th birthday (currently being celebrated in a Northern tour). The other is the 10th Anniversary of Second Stage | Amherst. Stephanie and Hod O’Brien were among the first artists AGAR presented at Second Stage | Amherst.
TICKETS ​
​PURCHASE OPTIONS:
  1. AT THE DOOR: Cash or checks only; doors open at 6:45 pm.​
  2. ONLINE: Reserve a ticket with credit card via Eventbrite
    ​by using the button below.