This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to go back to Des Moines to sing for Bravo’s 2010 Gala celebrating the arts in Greater Des Moines. Bravo is a fantastic organization that has given over $12 million to fine arts organizations in the state of Iowa in the past 5 years. Several of those organizations were ones that I was a part of while growing up, enabling me to develop into the artist I am today. I will forever be grateful to Bravo for their support of the fine arts in Des Moines.

Since I had been so involved with their grantees, most notably the Heartland Youth Choir, Bravo wanted to showcase me at the gala in promotion of the Hoyt Sherman concert I’m producing this summer. When I was approached about this opportunity, it was a no-brainer to accept. It’s one of the premiere events in Des Moines art scene, a performance given in front of over 800 of the most influential people in the state of Iowa.

Then came the real kicker; I would be performing with The Ken Arlen Orchestra, a Chicago sensation! This was sure to be a great night.

As Abby and I arrived, it was clear that my assumptions were correct. The setup was straight out of a movie, a grandiose setting if I have ever seen one. The speeches came and went, and then it was time to take the stage with Ken Arlen.

First, we gave them “Come Fly With Me”, which is always a good opener. Not my best song, but nearly anyone you sing to identifies with the song in some way, and it makes it clear which genre I am a part of. It went very well, and it felt incredible to be on the stage with a big band. Next, I finished with my current favorite, Sinatra’s “I’m A Fool To Want You”. It’s typically quite an epic, desperate song, but this setting took it to a whole new level. All of the musicians on that stage were 100% in tune with what I was doing, and we were in perfect communication the whole way through. It was a whole lot of fun.

Immediately following my performance, Ken Arlen spoke with me about working with him in Chicago in the future… will have to keep that in mind as time goes by. He was a true class act, and his band was phenomenal. Next, I went on a good round of introductions to the VIPs, promoting the Hoyt Sherman event the whole way.

All in all, it was a very successful event. We shall have to see what becomes of it… Next up, I’ll be returning to the Jazz Kitchen with Rob Dixon sometime soon, as well as pursuing other performance opportunities in Indianapolis… will keep you updated!

Thanks for reading!

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MW
max@maxwellmanmusic.com