Ken Takata Ensemble

Music played a crucial role in the original productions of Shakespeare’s plays. We know this since there are over 70 texts that are meant to be sung. Unfortunately, most of the original music has been lost. This is both a problem and an opportunity for theatre companies. On one hand, productions need to figure out what music to use, which can be tricky. At the same time, productions have a great deal of freedom to choose amongst many different styles, including jazz. 

Because this particular show is at Jazz Central Studios, we’re taking this opportunity to look at what the intersection of Shakespeare and jazz is or could be.

Towards those ends, Chris Hepola and Eric Struve are going to be joining us to form a drums, bass, and piano trio to comp for four vocalists who will be performing both solo and in an ensemble.

The set list also has original settings that draw upon several influences in jazz or that are adjacent to it: the Great American Songbook (e.g., the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, etc.), Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and others.

This edition of “Musical Settings for Shakespeare” therefore is significantly different from prior shows either at MN Fringe or at the St. Paul Public Library.  

Reviews of the Fringe show are at https://swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2024/08/fringe-2024-review-musical-settings-for.html

Thanks to Mac Santiago and Jazz Central Studios for hosting the event.

For more information (liner notes and video previews), go to https://kentakata.com .

Featuring:

Sarah Callahan

Sophie Caplin

Chris Hepola

Laura Lentz Landstad

Eric Struve

Ken Takata

Sarah Zuber