BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
A couple of years ago, CutCommon chanced upon Samuel Cottell. The classical and jazz pianist would quickly become our lead writer; penning stories about the Arctic with Ludovico Einaudi and snobbery with Richard Clayderman, in between his PhD about Tommy Tycho and his teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
So when Samuel reached out this year to tell us he’s launching his very own concert series in his local neighbourhood, we knew there’d be some magic involved. And we wanted to hear all about it.
Samuel will this month launch Morning Melodies, bringing the romantic classics of silver stage and screen into Mosman with soprano Georgia Kokkoris.
Samuel, it’s been a while since you wrote with us; you’ve since been out in the world finishing your PhD and I believe you’re now writing a book on the subject? Tell us how it’s all been coming along for you.
Hi Steph and the fantastic team at CutCommon, it’s great to be talking to you, even if it’s a little strange being on the other side of the interview table! Yes, the PhD is all finished, and I’m focusing my attention on Tommy Tycho’s biography, which is going to be huge (quite literally). It’s an important document on Australian cultural and entertainment history and, fortunately, for the past four years, I have done the bulk of the research.
Aside from that, I have been doing lots of arranging music for various projects and people, as well as lecturing at several universities in the areas of music theory, film music history, arranging, orchestration, harmony, and all sorts of other subject areas, which is really rewarding.
Oh and I also got married; we eloped! So it has been a very busy time.
Even through all of this bustle, you’re set to launch a new performance series in Mosman called Morning Melodies. What’s it all about?
Morning Melodies is a new concert series that uses the, dare I say, ‘good old’ variety entertainment format. There’s a lot of singing, and we have an amazing soprano, Georgia Kokkoris – who I’ve worked with on various musicals – leading our first concert.
We’ve also got a bit of humour, a trio, and there’s me at the piano; so there’s some fun instrumental and solo numbers. Down the track, I hope to have an interview, a cooking segment, comedy, dancing, you name it; and bring back that old style of variety entertainment, but in a live setting.
We’re singing great music – largely from the American Songbook – and we’re featuring famous tunes such as Misty, Moon River, and Over the Rainbow, and a lot of them were featured in films. This is some of my favourite music: they all have great melodies, and there is a certain sophistication to their harmony, which makes them enduring.
Why did you feel the need to start up this series, and why does this style of concert presentation work?
There are many great variety show style concerts, such as the Good Old Days concerts run by Bernard Walz at Sydney Town Hall, and I guess the work I am doing fits in with the audiences who are attending those types of concerts. But, I’m catering to a local market so that they don’t have to travel as far.
There are concerts for seniors held in the local area as well, but I wanted to make this a special affair and offer something, locally, that’s just not there at the moment. So I’m hoping to provide to those audience members.
How has being a resident of Mosman given you an advantage in tailoring your program for locals?
As a Mosman resident and local piano teacher, I’ve gotten to know a lot of parents, young people, and other members of the community. In my apartment building, for example, there is a lady upstairs who I always talk to, and used to get to many concerts back in the day; she tells me the these stories over a glass of scotch. She came from England and used to be a pianist when she was young, but didn’t continue down that path. She often talks about music and programs she’s seen on television – such as The Voice or Australia’s Got Talent – and while I think these shows are a good platform for launching some careers, audiences deserve better entertainment.
I’m hoping that people of all ages come, but it’s mainly aimed at senior citizens. Their generation grew up with the style of entertainment, and it’s hard for them to find it, and access it, especially without having to travel far. As a kid, I remember watching the old television shows, such as the Midday show, and I was always excited that there was a live orchestra or band.
I think what [locals] want – in terms of culture, music, entertainment, you name it – is just not being catered for them on a regular basis. And the added bonus [with Morning Melodies] is it becomes more accessible being in the local area, and just up the road.
With songs from the “Silver Screen and Stage” and a complimentary glass of champagne at the show, it certainly sounds an enticing affair. Talk us through the logistical process – how you selected works for the program, organised the venue, and decided on the extra special touch of champagne.
As a kid, I used to listen to my grandma’s record collection, which I now have at home. There was lots of great music, and I was always interested in the showman piano players. There were records by big bands, orchestras, and people like Liberace, Tommy Tycho, Richard Clayderman, and all those types of popular musicians.
The concert is called The Art of Romance, and it just happens that it’s happening on Valentine’s Day! So we’ve got lots of songs about love, of course, and various aspects of that concept.
Interestingly, as I was sitting here thinking about the program, I realised that the instrumental features are mainly dance-type styles. For example, there’s a cha-cha arrangement of Tea for Two, and the Charleston; so along with the songs about love, there’s also that nice aspect of dancing.
We’ve also got the champagne to add to the experience of the event, and it’s a good way to celebrate the launch, of course.
In terms of the logistics, the venue was a natural choice. I love the design and style of Mosman Art Gallery, and they have a lovely piano, which is a bonus. I think the style of the venue also perfectly matches the music and the program that we have put together.
You’ll be performing in the event as well as facilitating it. Will these dual roles continue for you in the future? And what has this taught you?
At the moment, I’ve done nearly everything, from getting the logo designed to creating the website, to writing press, to doing the media, liaising with the venue and event organisers and ticketing, etc. This is all very fun and exciting and certainly a learning curve, but at the end of the day I really want to just arrange the music and play the piano.
I’m currently filling the role of producer/curator/music director, and let me tell you there have been many late nights. In fact, I stopped writing an arrangement just now to get to these questions. I hope, as we increase the budget and develop the series, that I can hire media genius Di Rolle to take care of the marketing side of things. It has been very exhausting, but rewarding, to do all of these things. But, of course, the music is the priority.
What’s your vision for the future of the series?
I would love to develop the scope of the series to include a bigger band, eventually having a full orchestra, because I also love arranging and orchestrating, and with that many instruments you are unlimited.
Moving beyond that, I want to develop it into a series that is a high-quality, enduring experience, much in the way the songs that we are performing have those qualities.
As well as the Morning Melodies concert here, I envision that we’ll tour this and perform at other venues down the track so we can share it further. It’s just such a thrill and joy to make this music, especially working with soprano Georgia Kokkoris, who brings so much to the table with her interpretations of these tunes.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m super excited about this project because it brings together all of the aspects of music career (arranging, conducting, playing, curating, etc). And I have grown up with this music and still love it today. I’m always finding ways to arrange these popular tunes from the American Songbook and give them a classical spin, like I [have done many] years ago in my piano lesson. Georgia and I are using our classical training, and approaching these songs with that in mind. So to me, it’s the best of both worlds.
I can’t wait for this series to take off and to share all of this music with those who already love it, and perhaps for those who have just discovered it.
The first Morning Melodies concert, The American Songbook from Stage and the Silver Screen, will take place at 11am February 14 in the Mosman Art Gallery (complete with free champagne).
Images supplied.
