PS CLASSICS PRESENTS THE DEBUT CD FROM DARIUS DE HAAS

"DAY DREAM: VARIATIONS ON STRAYHORN" AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY NOW AT PSCLASSICS.COM AND IN STORES BEGINNING JUNE 4th

PS CLASSICS has released "Day Dream: Variations on Strayhorn" (ps-204), the debut solo CD from critically hailed singer/actor Darius de Haas, exclusively at http://www.psclassics.com/ right now, and in stores on June 4th. The CD, based on the program Mr. de Haas first performed at Lincoln Center in March 2001, and later at ARCI'S PLACE (450 Park Avenue South, NYC - 212-532-4370 - http://www.arcisplace.com/),features a quintet of musicians plus expanded arrangements conducted and orchestrated by Bruce Coughlin. "Day Dream" was produced by Tommy Krasker.

Combining classical sophistication, intense theatricality and jazz-inflected swing, "Day Dream" is Mr. de Haas's celebration of Billy Strayhorn, the jazz composer, lyricist, pianist and arranger, who died at age 51 in 1967. Best known for his 27-year collaboration with the legendary Duke Ellington, Strayhorn wrote, or co-wrote with Ellington, standards such as "Satin Doll," "Lush Life," "Take the ŽA' Train" and "Something to Live For," all included in this collection. "House on A Hill" and "Got No Time," from an unproduced stage musical with Luther Henderson, receive their premiere recordings. "Blood Count," written from his hospital bed, has been fitted to new lyrics by Elvis Costello entitled "My Flame Burns Blue," which receive their premiere recording here.

Darius de Haas performed on Broadway in "Dreamgirls in Concert," the original cast of "Rent," Lincoln Center's celebrated revival of "Carousel," "Marie Christine" and The Gershwin's "Fascinating Rhythm." He won an Obie Award for "The Running Man," appeared in Spike Lee's film "Malcolm X," the animated feature "Anastasia," and as a correspondent for PBS' "In the Life." Recordings include Adam Guettel's "Myths & Hymns," Ricky Ian Gordon's "Bright Eyed Joy," "Children of Eden" and "Marie Christine."

PS CLASSICS is a new label specializing in theater music and classic pop, helmed by veteran producer Tommy Krasker. Mr. Krasker received a 2001 Grammy Award nomination for the New York Philharmonic's "Sweeney Todd: Live in Concert," as well as nominations for the "Titanic" and "Footloose" Broadway Cast Recordings. He produced the recently-released "Dreamgirls in Concert," as well as CDs for Mandy Patinkin, Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald and Dawn Upshaw, among others. PS Classics is distributed by Image Entertainment.

OTHER RECENT CD RELEASES

Back to CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE Home Page

If you would like to receive a free e-mail subscription to CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE, please click here:



Note: Your subscription will be sent to the e-mail address you subscribe from - and please include your real name along with the city where you live.