Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 5 at 3 pm! Ken Bausano and Friends will take the stage at the Historic Greensboro Opera House for an outstanding afternoon of music and entertainment. The program will take you through several centuries beginning with classical music, presented by Marsha Harrow and Ken Bausano… to today’s Smooth Jazz and Pop for Ken’s solo show. In between those musical bookends, you will be treated to familiar 20th century tunes of classical jazz, pop and bebop.
Ken Bausano is a professional musician from California who relocated to Alabama with his wife, Deidra in 2021. They arrived on Christmas Eve that year and have never looked back. Ken’s musical credits are impressive and varied… from playing with jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald to Sunday concerts in the park with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra….a 110 year old tradition. He was also the featured soloist on the Grammy nominated album by Tim Davies Big Band, ‘Conceivilization.’
Ken’s ‘Friends’ who will join him in this show include several new and one ‘old.’ Will Roland and Ken both graduated from West High School in Bakersfield, California and performed in the semi-pro Big Band, The Electric Oil Sump, and in the CSUB Jazz Band. Will relocated from Bakersfield to Meridian, Mississippi a little over 20 years ago when he accepted a position with Peavy Sound Systems. He and Ken reconnected and are now members of the Market Street Jazz band from Demopolis.
Marsha Harrow is a familiar name in West Alabama, having taught in both public and private schools. She has also taught many aspiring pianists in her private studio in Greensboro. Marsha and Ken have performed duets for piano and trumpet at both the Greensboro Presbyterian Church’s Christmas Eve and 200th Anniversary celebrations. Their collaboration is intuitive and seamless. They possess a synergy that is hard to match and a joy to experience.
Scott Kratzer from Meridian, MS has been drumming since he was 7 years old. He recently performed at the Opera House with Market Street Jazz from Demopolis. Scott and Will have performed together for many years in Meridian and Demopolis. Scott has been a band director in Meridian schools since 1995. He grew up in Livingston and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Livingston University (UWA).
Rounding out the ‘Friends’ is John Hall, an extraordinary musical talent! John worked in Las Vegas for many years and was Music Director for The Platters in the 70s. He toured extensively with the group on various North American tours. John is an accomplished pianist with a style all his own. He is also a record producer and his recording studio in Tuscaloosa has hosted many musicians who seek John’s expertise in laying down tracks. Retired from touring, John is currently the pianist at First Presbyterian Church of Eutaw and the Boligee Presbyterian Church.
Admission is FREE with reception following the concert.
