Maestro Hankewich is back ahead of Orchestra Iowa’s first concert of this season’s Pops Series, “The Music of Harry Potter.” Delivered as a multifaceted production, music from all eight of the films will be performed by the orchestra along with the Orchestra Iowa youth choir, Discovery Chorus.
To make the night even more magical, everyone is encouraged to come in costume and if you attend the pre-concert you’ll get the chance to see some live owls, face the sorting hat, and make your own wand!
It’s “The Music of Harry Potter,” Saturday, October 26, 7:30pm at Paramount Theatre. Tickets available for purchase at orchestraiowa.org and artsiowa.com.
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The Hot Club of San Francisco has never shied away from putting their own stamp on the Gypsy jazz sound created by guitar legend Django Reinhardt and violin maestro Stephane Grappelli in 1930s Paris. Guitarist Paul Mehling, a leading force in North America’s Hot Club movement since the early 1990s, has long made a point of featuring original tunes along with Reinhardt standards and imaginative “Djangofied” interpretations of songs by the likes of Lennon and McCartney. But the band’s 15th album, “Original Gadjo,” captures the creative ferment of the entire group, not just its fearless leader. It’s a project that finds the venerable combo revivified after a pandemic-induced hiatus, hitting on all creative cylinders.
Matt Panayides is a guitarist who has long had his own style. His harmonically adventurous playing, at times a bit reminiscent of Jim Hall and Pat Martino, is filled with fresh and personal chord voicings. Originally a pianist, he initially became a guitarist inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page before discovering jazz. Since finishing his university studies, Matt has headed his own creative groups and recorded three albums. His fourth, “With Eyes Closed,” is his first acoustic trio album. Joined by bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Anthony Pinciotti, Panayides digs into eight songs by six jazz composers plus reinvented versions of three standards.

Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of saxmen Don Byas, Sonny Criss and Jimmy Heath, trumpeter/composer/bandleader Dizzy Gillespie, bassists Wendell Marshall and Hans Glawischnig, flutist Ali Ryerson, singer Dianne Reeves and more.
Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)
Jazz Night in America