Art of Time Ensemble
presents

SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

Artistic Director: Andrew Borashko

Vocalists: Andy Maize, Craig Northey, Steven Page, Glen Phillips

The Ensemble: Andrew Burashko, Carolyn Blackwell, Bryan Holt, John Johnson, Larry Larson, Douglas Perry, Joseph Phillips, Rob Piltch, Rachel Pomedli, Rick Sacks

Press Representative: Michelle Tabnick Communications

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College
Whitman Theatre, 2900 Avenue H, Brooklyn, New York
November 21, 2015


This one night only performance by Toronto’s Art of Time Ensemble is a reimagining of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, including a few bonus Beatle’s tunes (Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, Here Comes the Sun, All You Need is Love). The Ensemble’s, led by Russian born Andrew Burashko, interprets this critically praised album by blending jazz, rock, pop and classical music.

The lead vocalist, Steven Page, began by asking the audience to imagine we are back at our parent’s home sitting on the shag carpet with large Radio Shack headphones, listening to the music of the Beatles. Three other vocalists join him on harmonies, and take some of the lead vocals, but Mr. Page stood out. The harmonies on Lovely Rita, A Day in the Life, Oh Darling, and Here Comes the Sun were outstanding. The orchestra did wonders for these vocalists, and could stand well even without the vocals. This 13-piece Ensemble takes Beatle’s music to another level. They experiment with jazz rhythms, medleys, Dixieland and vaudeville sounds, with a terrific horn section, especially on Penny Lane.  Fittingly, they ended with a sing-a-long of All You Need is Love.

Mr. Burashko was first turned on to the Beatles en route to America from Russia as a young boy. He has devoted much of his career to interpreting the songs of the Beatles, and has done so admirably. Most recently the Ensemble performed their rendition of Abbey Road. We look forward to hearing more about them and their future experimental interpretations.

- Gloria Talamas -