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Tin Pan Alley Times “They want and want and there is no end to their wanting. What they sing is the song of the people. Man will never arrive, man will always be on the way.” - Carl Sandburg Imagine hobos and high society, bread lines and bathtub gin, suffragettes and flappers.
That was America in the 1920's and 1930's, and the music of the times reflected those extremes of wealth and political belief.
Take a ride with Michael J. Miles and virtuoso trumpeter David Young from “Hard Times” to “Easy Street” and from “Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime” to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” -- just a handful of the wonderful songs included in Tin Pan Alley Times.
This musical documentary for the stage features songs from America's greatest 20’s and 30’s songwriters, plus the words of some of her greatest poets and story-tellers. The show includes the music of Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, and Fats Waller -- framed by readings from the literature of the day including John Steinbeck and Langston Hughes.
Tin Pan Alley Times is a sophisticated and exciting performance experience with a substantial visual component: rear screen projections rich with imagery, photography and WPA murals that transport the audience to this extraordinary time and place.
With melodious voices, scintillating guitar and banjo, and soaring trumpet, Miles and Young combine their musical and theatrical expertise to bring this world to life. "And don't forget folks, that's what you get folks, for makin' whoopee!" Gus Kahn
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Full demo with literature & rear screen imagery. Demo with songs only. |
About Michael J. Miles
• Musician
• Composer
• Performing Artist
• Musical Playwright
• Educator
When Pete Seeger first heard Michael Miles, he sent a letter to Michael saying that "in all my 70 years this is among the most beautiful recordings I’ve ever heard...it is enough to make me want to learn the banjo all over again.”
Michael Miles is one of America’s most inventive clawhammer banjo players. Add guitar, vocals, jazz instruments, orchestras and complex historically-themed theatrical presentations to the mix and, two decades later, Michael has a critically acclaimed catalog of original compositions, stage performances, music CD’s and music instruction books.
Michael Miles performance credits include the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institution, Ravinia Festival, Harris Theatre in Chicago, American University in Beirut, and the Royal Opera Theatre in Marrakesh.
From 1984-1998, Michael served as the Program Director at the Old Town School of Folk Music bringing the school to international acclaim. Under his guidance the student population grew from 200 students to over 4000. From 2005-2007, Michael was honored as the school's first ever Artist-In-Residence. He remains as active member of the faculty teaching clawhammer banjo and fingerstyle guitar.
With an MA in Music Performance and Pedagogy, Michael is also a music educator whose work ranges from introducing kindergarten students to their earliest musical experiences to leading postgraduate study for professional musicians and music teachers.
Current projects include new fingerstyle guitar arrangements of the Great American Songbook and the works of Stevie Wonder; new compositions for the banjo and expanded ensemble; and new stage productions.
