June 7, 2009 (Sunday) - John Sawoski Plays Principal Keyboard With The Pasadena Pops in Free "Music Under the Stars" Concert
Pasadena City Hall is located at the corner of Holly Street and Garfield Avenue, Pasadena. For more information about "The Orchestras of Pasadena," please seehttp://www.theorchestras.org
At Capitol Studios: John Sawoski conducting a string section for which he orchestrated in a recent session at Capitol Studios (more details coming soon)
Grease - Orange County Performing Arts Center - John Sawoski played 2nd keyboard in the pit for the national tour of Grease, starring American Idol Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel. May 3, 2009 at 1 pm, and May 9, 2009 at 2 pm.
- On Friday, May 8, 2009, John Sawoski played keyboards in the 10-piece orchestra at the awards show for Disney's Environmentality Challenge in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. Music Director / Conductor - Bruce Healey.
Pacific Symphony Gala Prelude with Lisa Vroman and Davis Gaines- On May 5, 2009, John Sawoski accompanied Davis Gaines and Lisa Vroman in a 30-minute program of musical theatre favorites at a private gathering for supporters of the Pacific Symphony, at the Orange County home of Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom.
Performance for Vicente Fox with Dennis McNeil's Three Tenors April 7, 2009 - John Sawoski played piano and accompanied Dennis McNeil's Three Tenors (including Jose Medina, Marco Labastida, and Dennis McNeil), in a performance at a private residence in Hollywood in honor of Vicente Fox, the former President of Mexico. President Fox was in Los Angeles promoting (and fundraising for) a new school of the arts in Mexico.
March 28, 2009, 8 pm - John Sawoski played piano as three of Broadway's best—Debbie Gravitte, Anne Runolfsson, and Jan Horvath—lit up the stage. They dazzled the audience with hit after show-stopping hit from SweetCharity, Gypsy, Wicked, A ChorusLine, Evita, Jekyll and Hyde, My FairLady and many more. Inevitably and enter-tainingly, LBSO favorite Michael Krajewski added plenty of fun and humor to this evening of Broadway gems.
Note from John Sawoski: This was one of the best concerts I've ever played - with the best orchestra, a huge audience in Long Beach Arena, and live big-screen video of the concert. I was on camera most of the show, as the 9-foot Steinway was front and center. It was a piano-heavy show, including the Overture to West Side Story complete with the Mambo... The singers were all powerhouses. They sang Glitter and Be Gay, lots of great Jule Styne, Andrew Lloyd Webber, as well as songs from "Wicked" and "Mamma Mia." It all ended with an encore of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" which featured big piano solos. Michael Krajewski also had a great rapport with the audience as well as the singers (and the orchestra).
IN THE STUDIO: In February, John Sawoski played piano with a 60-piece orchestra on a series of scoring sessions at Capitol Records Studios and Glenwood Place Studiosfor Finnish composer Tuomas Kantilenin's latest film-scoring project, a Belgian film called Lemo, currently scheduled for a 2009 release. Also at Capitol in March, John Sawoski played piano and conducted the string section on a pop recording session for which he also orchestrated. At his home studio, John Sawoski continues to arrange, play, and produce on a wide range of projects, from pop vocal recordings to classical instrumental projects.
In February, John Sawoski was second keyboard sub in the orchestra pit for The Full Monty at Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities, at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Also in February and March, Sawoski played second keyboard in the orchestra of the new Broadway-bound Charles Strouse-Susan Birkenhead musical comedy called Minsky's at the Ahmanson Theatre at Los Angeles County's Music Center, subbing for associate conductor Larry Goldberg.
John Sawoski Musical Directs for Academy Award Cinematography Nominees Event Saturday, February 21, 2009 - John Sawoski supervised, arranged, played piano, and conducted the music for the Kodak Cinematography Awards Ceremonies (private event for cinematographers nominated for Academy Awards, featuring musical excerpts from the nominated films/TV shows). Seven Oscar winners were in attendance, along with the recent nominees.
John Sawoski plays keyboards for Wizard in Palm Desert
Friday, January 9, 2009 - Stage Shows International presented WIZARD:The Musical Revue about the life of composer Harold Arlen...featuring the Sam Arlen Orchestra and George Bugatti's Three Crooners with choreography. A PRE BROADWAY PRODUCTION!!! ......Classic Songs including "Over The Rainbow," "That Old Black Magic," "Stormy Weather," "I've Got The World On A String," "Accentuate The Positive," as well as unseen footage from the "Wizard Of Oz" OSCAR AWARD Winner!!
Sunday, December 14 - John Sawoski accompanied A Festival of Lessons and Carols at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Los Angeles under the direction of renowned composer Christopher Walker. The children's choir also sang a world premiere of a new arrangement of John Sawoski's "Cradle Song."
First broadcast on the USA Network November 7, 2008.
"Hello Dolly" by Jerry Herman. Music adapted, arranged, orchestrated, and conducted as "Hello Molly" by Rick Fleishman. John Sawoski, pianist; and John Sawoski, keyboardist. Other musicians: Jeff Bunnell and Bob O'Donnell, trumpet;Les Benedict, trombone/bass trombone; Steve Carr, tenor sax; Paul Morin, bass; Paul Goldberg, drums; Delia Park, violin; Bobby Korda, violin; Joel Lish, viola. Recorded July 29, 2008 at Entourage Studios, North Hollywood, CA.
The Room Swayin' and the Band Playin' During the recording session, at 11:42 am, the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area experienced its largest earthquake in years as a magnitude 5.4 event occurred 8.5 miles beneath the Chino Hills. This earthquake was felt across much of southern California, and as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada.
Amateur Video of 2007 Candlelight Concert at Disneyland. John Sawoski, keyboardist.
December 6-7, 2008:50th Anniversary Candlelight Concerts at Disneylandwith John Stamos
John Sawoski played keyboards with the orchestra for Disneyland's 50th Annual Candlelight Concert, featuring a 650-voice choir, various soloists, and narrator John Stamos. To get an idea of what this unadvertised yet huge event is like for Disneyland Park visitors, click here.
John Sawoski musical directed and played for Gregg Marx and Luba Mason in concert at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, as part of Les Michaels' Life is a Cabaret concert series, at 8 pm, Saturday, November 8.
Luba Mason
Luba Mason is the wife of Grammy-Award winner Ruben Blades, but as a singer/ actress/ producer/ songwriter - Luba Mason is a bonafide star in her own right. The stunning Slovak beauty has starred on Broadway opposite Brooke Shields in "Chicago," opposite Matthew Broderick in "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying", in "Jekyll & Hyde", and Paul Simon's "The Capeman." Making a smooth transition into nightclubs and recording, the classically trained vocalist and pianist's follow up to her debut CD "Collage" (PS Classics) is titled "Krazy Love" - executing Brazilian based jazz with a 5 piece acoustic band. Luba's writing talents will be showcased as well premiering 8 original songs written by herself and co-producer/ musician Renato Neto (Prince).
Luba's talents have garnered some impressive notices including: "Too good to overlook." - Time Out- NY "Powerfully impressive." -Jazz Times
Gregg Marx Gregg Marx is a grandson and great-nephew of the legendary Marx Brothers, and probably best known to television viewers as "Tom Hughes" on the CBS daytime drama "As The World Turns" a role for which he received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
As a singer, Gregg has appeared in some of the most celebrated cabaret venues in Los Angeles, including the world-famous Hollywood Cinegrill, Masquers "Cabaret, The Gardenia, Feinstein" At The Cinegrill, and open-ended runs at both Maggiano's at The Grove and II Moro Supper Club. New York audiences have seen Gregg at Danny's Skylight Room. Most recently, Gregg joined forces with his cousin and local legend, pianist Bill Marx and bassist, Pat Senatore, for a sold-out performance at Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill in Los Angeles.
When he is not on stage, Gregg can most likely be found in a recording studio as the voice of hundreds of television and radio commercials, television promos and movie trailers.
Click here to read an excerpt of a review from the October 2008 issue of Keyboard Magazine calling the EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos “The New Meaning of Heavyweight,” “the biggest, most ambitious sampled piano project ever, with the sound quality to prove it,” and “by far the most detailed and biggest-sounding pianos of the bunch.” (The entire article is here.)
John Sawoski, the pianist who actually played every note sampled in three of the four Quantum Leap Pianos (the Bosendorfer, the Steinway, and the Bechstein), is pictured here in August 2006 at the Bechstein at EastWest Studios in Hollywood during a break in the Quantum Leap Pianos recording sessions.
September 12, 2008 - Kodak Salute to Cinematography for Emmy Nominees
John Sawoski, Carl Rigoli, and Richard Maloof played John Sawoski's trio arrangements of themes from television programs nominated for 2008 Emmy Awards in Cinematography, as part of Eastman Kodak's Salute to Cinematography, a private event and ceremony honoring eighteen of the 2008 Emmy nominees in cinematography.
In the studio: August 2008- John Sawoski played piano and synthesizer on a scoring session for a TV show on the USA Network called "The Starter Wife." Music arranged by Rick Fleishman. More information will follow. For information about the new series, starring Debra Messing, please see: http://www.usanetwork.com/series/starterwife
John Sawoski played first keyboard with the orchestra in all performances of the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, CA. For more information about the Pageant of the Masters, please click on http://www.PageantOfTheMasters.com
Pictured here is a glimpse of John Sawoski's complex keyboard rig as used on Pageant of the Masters: Keyboard Wizard software by Paul Nahay, triggering EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos and Orchestra, music orchestrated and composed by Richard Henn, and Roland RD-700GX Stage Piano.
July 2008 - Free Download - Complete Chopin Scherzo as played by John Sawoski
In his home studio, John Sawoski recently recorded Chopin Scherzo in B-flat Minor, Op. 31, No. 2, to demonstrate the new Quantum Leap Pianos. You can download and listen, and learn more about the Quantum Leap Pianos at: http://www.soundsonline.com/Quantum-Leap-Pianos-pr-EW-171.html
May-July 2008 - John Sawoski Plays Keyboards in the pit orchestra for A Chorus Line at the Ahmanson Theatre
From May through July of 2008, John Sawoski served as substitute keyboardist on the Los Angeles run of A Chorus Line, playing Keyboard II and Keyboard III.
"A Chorus Line," the classic musical about a crew of aspiring dancers hoping for their big break, returned to Broadway last year, making its way to Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre May 21 through July 6. The winner of nine Tony Awards, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, it is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever made. Pictured above are members of the 2008 "A Chorus Line" orchestra at the Ahmanson – Woodwinds: Jeff Driskell, Rusty Higgins, Glen Berger, Bob Carr. Trumpets: Chris Eble, Don Clarke, Marissa Benedict. Trombones: Bob Payne (contractor), Wendell Kelly, Craig Ware (bass trombone). Rhythm: Cliff Hulling, percussion; Alan Steinberger (not in photo), keyboard 3; Ken Wild, bass; John Sawoski, key sub. "A Chorus Line" Road Musicians: John C. O'Neill, conductor; Faith Seetoo, key 2 (associate conductor); Danny Percefull, keyboard 1; Rick Donato, drums.
John Sawoski Orchestrates for WebOnly Piano John Sawoski was recently hired to orchestrate for an upcoming project for a company called WebOnly Piano - http://www.webonlypiano.com/ , which produces and distributes PianoDisk and Disklavier recordings with orchestra (sort of music minus one piano, all written around a pre-existing piano part, which is played back live through the acoustic piano, while the recorded orchestra plays through speakers). Sawoski's first two arrangements, Here's That Rainy Day and From A Distance, were recorded January 4 at Capitol Studios in Hollywood http://www.capitolstudios.com/cshome.html with a great group of studio musicians.
The current project, using piano music published by Hal Leonard Publishing Company, will be completed soon, at which time more information and audio samples will be available.
2007 Spotlight Awards Televised on KCET (PBS) John Sawoski's performance with the band in the pit of the 2007 Music Center Spotlight Awards, was broadcast on KCET-TV December 29, 2007. Click here to watch video clips from the broadcast.
Quantum Leap Pianos and Distinguished Musical Colleagues at the NAMM Show January 17-20, 2008 - NAMM http://www.namm.org/Hall A, Booth 6630, Anaheim Convention Center - John Sawoski demonstrated EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos, now shipping after a year and half of editing and programming.
EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos
John Sawoski is the pianist who played every note of the Bosendorfer, Steinway, and Bechstein piano samples included in this beautiful-sounding virtual instrument library.
John was fortunate to have the opportunity to present the Quantum Leap Pianos to many wonderful musicians, including Les Hooper, Alan Steinberger, Mike Lang, Rich Friedman, Benjamin Lewis, Frank Lucas, Patrick DuMont, John "Cheese" Williams, Jeffrey Bayless, Kevin Howard, Jonathan Dane, and many more.
Multi-Platinum hit songwriter/drummer/producer and 2007 ASCAP Award winner John "Cheese" Williams http://www.myspace.com/cheesebeats (photo courtesy of John "Cheese" Williams)
Jonathan Dane, jazz trumpeter, vocalist and composer http://www.jonathandane.com/top_page.htm Appeared with John Sawoski in the film LA Confidential, playing Chet Baker, while Sawoski played Gerry Mulligan.
Listen to audio clips of Irish baritone Sam McElroy recorded at John Sawoski's Studio
Recordings of Danny Boy and The Impossible Dream, which John Sawoski recently played and recorded with Irish baritone Sam McElroy, are now available for free download at http://www.sammcelroy.com/demos.html .
John Sawoski Appears in Sony Pictures' Walk Hard In Sony Pictures' release of "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story," John Sawoski appears as Hammond organist in a rock band featuring actors John C. Riley (Dewey Cox), Matt Besser (guitar), Chris Parnell (bass), and Tim Meadows (drums). Sawoski is also in a scene with Jack White (of White Stripes). Also working on the film were: guitarist Al Vescovo, violinist Alex Gorlovsky, songwriter Mike Viola (of the Candy Butchers), music producer Mike Andrews, Freddie Muntz, John Ennis (playing The Big Bopper), and director Jake Kasdan. For more information on the film, click here. Sideline musicians were contracted by Rick Fleishman of Visual Music.. Click below for a clip from the trailer, where Sawoski is seen in the background.
John Sawoski played keyboards at Disneyland's 52nd Annual Candlelight Concert December 1 and 2, 2007, along with the orchestra, 650-voice choir, fanfare trumpeters, handbell choirs, and various soloists.
Sunday, December 16 - John Sawoski accompanied A Festival of Lessons and Carols - 3 pm at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Parish in Los Angeles under the direction of renowned composer Christopher Walker. St. Paul's is located at: 10750 Ohio Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Treat yourself to 60 minutes of relaxed yet thoughtful enjoyment as St. Paul's choirs and lectors celebrate the true spirit of the season with a festive hour of the words and music of Christmas.
followed by reception with mince pies and tea
John Sawoski accompanies Frank Sinatra Junior, Seth MacFarlane, and Johnny Crawford, as Fox Broadcasting celebrates the 100th episode of Family Guy John Sawoski joined the Johnny Crawford orchestra (expanded with a large string section), to accompany Seth MacFarlane (creator, producer and the voice of Stewie Griffin on Family Guy) at the show's 100th episode party, held Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at Social Hollywood. The orchestra played many of the orchestrations originally arranged by Nelson Riddle for Frank Sinatra. At the rehearsal, Frank Sinatra, Jr. conducted and sang several of the songs and told a few stories about his father. Although Frank Sinatra, Jr. has sung on Family Guy, at the party he had Seth sing his numbers with the orchestra, conducted by Walter Murphy, Family Guy's composer. Also singing that evening was orchestra leader Johnny Crawford, who was also one of the original Mouseketeers.
John Sawoski plays keyboards for Avenue Q at Ahmanson Theatre
Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical! A hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes, AVENUE Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account.
John Sawoski played for performances of the tour during its first Los Angeles run, during September and October of 2007.
John Sawoski played Aaron Copland's Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra with harp and piano and other pieces in concert with Riverside County Philharmonic Oct. 6 and 7. The Riverside Press-Enterprise said:
"Among the other highlights of the evening were fine solo sections... a magical moment in "Lieutenant Kije" when the orchestra sounded like a music box led by keyboardist John Sawoski on celesta" - Riverside Press-Enterprise
Music to Smile About Deborah Avery, Clarinet Guest Conductor Barry Jekowsky
GUEST CONDUCTOR, BARRY JEKOWSKY, Music Director of the Reno Philharmonic and the California Symphony. Deborah Avery, RCP’s super clarinetist performs Copland’s jazzy clarinet concerto.
Til Eulenspeigl’s merry pranks, Richard Strauss
Clarinet Concerto, Aaron Copland
Viktor’s Tale, John Williams;
Night on a Bald Mountain, Moussorgsky
other fun pieces by Vivaldi, Prokofiev, Bright Sheng, and Debussy.
Capistrano Valley Symphony Orchestra Carlo Spiga, Conductor
In addition to having conducted their May 20 concert, John Sawoski also conducted the Capistrano Valley Symphony Sept. 23, 2007. The Capistrano Valley Symphony orchestra features classic symphony sounds, show tunes, and popular music from the 40's to the present day in the beautiful Mission San Juan Capistrano courtyard. Unfortunately, Carlo Spiga, The Capistrano Valley Symphony’s musical director, passed away Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2007, and the orchestra got the news between the rehearsal and the concert Sunday. As Sawoski said later, "Despite the shocking and sad news we received about Carlo’s passing, we knew he'd want the orchestra to have a good show anyway, so we did. Sunday night's guest artists were The Riders of the Purple Sage, six really great singing Western (not country) musicians who could orchestrate, play complex rhythms, and much more. We did lots of fun songs, including a number called "Picked Suite," which was sort of a bluegrass concerto grosso that involved our players reading some intense fiddling licks, alternating with the band. And their mandolinist did an amazing solo version of the William Tell Overture Finale." The orchestra also performed Sawoski's Morricone medley arrangement, "Spaghetti Western/Romance Medley." Philly Pops Rehearsal
On September 20, 2007, John Sawoski rehearsed in Pasadena, California with three Broadway stars and their associate conductor, to prepare them for their concert Broadway Showstoppers – Best of the Tonys®.
Peter Nero and the Philly Pops’® 2007-08 season opens with a winner – Tony Award® winners, that is! “Broadway Showstoppers – Best of the Tonys®” features selections from shows that have received or been nominated for Tony Awards – the ultimate honor of the Great White Way. Three of Broadway’s top talents join Peter Nero and the Philly Pops for this annual favorite. They are Lisa Vroman (The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables), Rachel York (Camelot, Kiss Me, Kate, and Victor/Victoria), and Doug LaBrecque (Phantom and Showboat).
Performances took place on September 30 and October 3 and 5-7, 2007, in Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The season opened with a matinee performance, part of a new Sunday series added to accommodate the growing demand for tickets to Peter Nero and the Philly Pops concerts.
Private Concerts at the Jonathan Club in Santa Monica
John Sawoski performed in private symphonic pops concerts September 14 and 15th, 2007 at the Jonathan Club at the Beach in Santa Monica under the baton of the late Carlo Spiga.
May 20th, 2007 - John Sawoski conducts Capistrano Valley Symphony Orchestra Concert
As a substitute for Carlo Spiga, John Sawoski conducted an evening concert with the Capistrano Valley Symphony, which included Vladimir Polimatidi (concertmaster), Julie Metz (asst.concertmaster), Johana Krejci, Araksia Nazlikian, Mira Khomik, Kathleen Mangusing, Valerie Geller, Bridget Bow, Yumi Yoshinaga, Destiny Ankers, Karen Lak, John Acosta, Karen Deaner, Tom Pedrini, Mary Palchak, Laura Recendez, Joe and Laura Stone, Michele B., Steve Durnin, Lisa Cherry,Rick Baptist, George K., Steve Charpie, Mike Hoffman, Rocco Quaranta, Curt Berg, Alan Steinberger, Carl Rigoli, Michael R., Gregg Gilboe, and others. The evening of music from the theatre, hosted by John Santana, featured guest vocalists from California Conservatory for the Arts. Photos to follow. The concert took place in the beautiful Mission San Juan Capistrano courtyard. John Sawoski will also perform in several other concerts this season. More info will be posted at http://www.LAPianist.com as it becomes available.
May 12 (Saturday) - John Sawoski plays keyboards for Feinstein, Gifford, and the Fifth Dimension
John Sawoski played keyboards (along with pianist/musical director Steven Cahill, drummer Albie Berk, bassist Kirk Smith, trumpeter Rick Baptist, and others), at a private event featuring vocalists Michael Feinstein, Cathy Lee Gifford, the 5th Dimension (Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo), and Lauren Nelson (Miss America 2007), as well as the Debbie Allen dancers (pictured above left with John Sawoski behind the keyboard to the lower left of the photograph). The Viewpoint School fundraiser, which raised $1,000,000 that evening, was hosted by Brad Garrett and Ray Romano (pictured left). Also appearing on stage were Doris Roberts, HRH Prince Edward Earl of Wessex, Kathy Ireland, Rick Schroder, Sean Hayes, Jean Smart, and others. For more photographs of the event, please click the following photo galleries:
May 4 (Friday) - Disneyland - John Sawoski played keyboards in the 10-piece orchestra at the awards show for Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge, in the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Music Director / Conductor - Bruce Healey. California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell spoke to the class that won first prize, as the event was carried live via satellite. For an amusing blog entry about the event, see "Fear and Loving in Disneyland" at http://snicholsblog.blogspot.com/
Michael Crawford & Dale Kristien, Saturday March 10, 2007 - John Sawoski played keyboards (along with keyboardists Alan Steinberger and Bryan Pezzone, and Larry Blank conducting The Long Beach Symphony Orchestra) in a sold-out concert AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL CRAWFORD at the Terrace Theater, Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Proceeds of this event benefited the music and education programs of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra. Click here for more information. Click here for a Long Beach Press-Telegram article about the show.
Also on the concert was: Dale Kristien, who is well-known for her record-breaking four-and-one-half years in the role of 'Christine Daae' in The Phantom of the Opera. Ms. Kristien first played 'Christine' opposite the original Phantom, on Broadway and they both premiered the Andrew Lloyd Webber show in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theatre. She subsequently continued in the role until the show closed. Altogether, Dale Kristien was featured in more than 1,700 performances – the longest running Christine in captivity and the only actress allowed to play the role for all eight shows per week, anywhere in the world.
Click here to learn more about this comedy/rap/novelty project released in 1994, featuring John Sawoski, rapper / songwriter / keyboardist / co-producer with Paul Nahay, Ryan Moore, and others.
Click PLAY to watch a video clip of a scene (with music by John Sawoski), from a film called Showboy, which recently aired in 40 million households in the US. In this scene, the lead character tours the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas and fantasizes about playing a piece that sounds like something Liberace would play (actually composed and performed by John Sawoski). Most of the film score is composed by Daniele Luppi, who receives screen credit for the score. (John Sawoski is on the ASCAP Cue Sheet, and receiving payment for the music in this scene.)
John Sawoski Gives Two Special Performances for the Los Angeles Philharmonic:
On May 16, 2005, John Sawoski accompanied Soprano Lisa Vroman in a private performance for the Los Angeles Philharmonic AssociationBoard Of Directors, hosted by LA Philharmonic Chairman John F. Hotchkis. The performance included musical theatre highlights, some new material, and a special Finnish folk song, performed in honor of conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, who later commented that the song was "perfect." Also in attendance were former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, Ginny Mancini (widow of Henry Mancini), and many other dignitaries.
On June 11, 2005, John Sawoski accompanied Baritone Rod Gilfryin a private performance for the Los Angeles Philharmonic AssociationBusiness and Professional Committee, in the Fifth Floor ballroom at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The performance included musical theatre selections, traditional opera arias, and two pieces from a new opera, Margaret Garner, by Nobel Prize-winning author and librettist Toni Morrison and Grammy-winning composer Richard Danielpour. Co-commissioned with the Cincinnati Opera (July 2005) and the Opera Company of Philadelphia (Jan./Feb. 2006), and based on a true historical event, it also stars Denyce Graves, Jessye Norman and Gregg Baker, and had its world premiere with Detroit's Michigan Opera Theatre in May 2005.
DVD's of Rod Gilfry's wonderfully entertaining one-man show, My Heart Is So Full of You, filmed in February 2004 during sold-out performances at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, California, are available at http://www.gilfrydvd.com/ .
John Sawoski's orchestration of Danny Boy, was performed March 19, 2005 by The Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra and tenors Matthew Surapine (Metropolitan Opera) and Jim Russell (New York City Opera). Comments included:
"The music was the equal of any major orchestra in America... a hidden jewel."
- Massachusetts State Senator Richard T. Moore, Milford Daily News, Milford, Mass.
"The audience listened to the words of these classic ballads, and couldn’t help shed a tear or two... no one held back their applause when the songs were over – the audience couldn’t contain themselves. Irish eyes were surely smiling!" Susan McWade Surapine
John Sawoski's orchestrations for The Leading Ladies, performed in concert May 22, 2005 by the Capistrano Valley Symphony Orchestra with top Los Angeles studio musicians like trumpeter Rick Baptist, were also well-received.
Good Reviews for Zemeckis Band, Arranged and Musical Directed by John Sawoski:
John Sawoski arranged and musical directed for Staar, a one-woman original revue starring Leslie Zemeckis, which ran Mondays from April 11 to May 16, 2005, and was featured on Entertainment Tonight, Playboy Radio, KNAC radio, and KTLA-TV. Produced by Donalee Austin. Executive Producer Robert Zemeckis. The Tolucan Times (April 21, 2005) and Entertainment News called theband, playing several arrangements by John Sawoski, a "hot razzmatazz jazz band." The band consists of tenor saxophonist Ben Wendell, trombonist Garrett Smith, drummer Richard Martinez, and John Sawoski at the piano (as well as guest conductor Ed Vodicka).
John Sawoski Remotely Triggers Piano While Musical Directing I Remember You
John Sawoski's musical direction of Bill Hayes, Lee Meriwether, and Caryn Richman, and piano-playing for the play I Remember You at Norris Center for the Performing Arts in Rolling Hills Estates, CA in May 2005, was "well realized by musical director John Sawoski's offstage playing" (Los Angeles Times). An acoustic piano on stage, actually triggered remotely (with the PianoDisc system, from an offstage MIDI keyboard) by John Sawoski, appeared to be played by Bill Hayes, convincingly enough to make the Palos Verdes Peninsula News state that "a charming Bill Hayes portrays the piano player with conviction, and to some patrons' surprise, he even plays his own piano, with musical director John Sawoski filling in seamlessly behind a scrim." After that review appeared, Bill Hayes began making a nightly curtain call speech asking how the audience enjoyed his playing, and subsequently confessing that he didn't play a single note. Audiences also enjoyed John Sawoski's moving arrangement of "The Water Is Wide," sung by the cast in the final scene nightly. A grand piano and the PianoDisc system were graciously provided by Kawai.
DVD of Winning Ugly (scored by John Sawoski) Now Available
The film, Winning Ugly: Twenty Years Later, a retrospective video about the 1983 American League West Champion Chicago White Sox, with original music score by John Sawoski, is now available on DVD as well as VHS, at all White Sox home games this season at U.S. Cellular Field.
Click here for an audio clip of the End Credits Theme (2.04MB MP3, 1:46)
Sundays 9 am: John Sawoski accompanies for the Caritas Chorus at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Parish in Los Angeles under the direction of renowned composer Christopher Walker. St. Paul's is located at: 10750 Ohio Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Other News: Good Reviews for The Big Bang - John Sawoski recently played piano and music directed for "The Big Bang," at Norris Center for the Performing Arts. Palos Verdes Peninsula News called the show "Wacky, Wacky, Wacky... outrageous... crazy... good old-fashioned, non-politically correct schtick... played by the incredibly funny Paul Kreppel & Larry Raben... and renowned pianist John Sawoski." The LA Times called Paul Kreppel & Larry Raben "two gifted practitioners of manic musical comedy." Click here for full LA Times review.
Rave Review for Tonia Bern-Campbell show - John Sawoski's musical direction of Tonia Bern-Campbell on Sunday, Oct. 24 in Lake Arrowhead received rave reviews. The Mountain News said: "enormously entertaining... Sawoski’s seamless segues transported the singer smoothly from one song to the next, and kept the audience involved and delighted. [A] brilliant pianist, John Sawoski supported [the singer] at every turn with sensitivity and style." Mountain News, Oct. 28, 2004 Click here for the entire review.
Recent News:
Free Sample Audio Clip of John Sawoski's Orchestration
Click here to listen to John Sawoski's orchestration of "Danny Boy," recorded at a live outdoor orchestra concert featuring tenor Dennis McNeil. (3.28MB MP3, 3:35)
This orchestration is now available for rent for pops orchestra concerts. For more information, please click here.
John Sawoski played second keyboard in the orchestra of 
John Sawoski, 
Dale Kristien, who is well-known for her record-breaking four-and-one-half years in the role of 'Christine Daae' in The Phantom of the Opera. Ms. Kristien first played 'Christine' opposite the original Phantom, on Broadway and they both premiered the Andrew Lloyd Webber show in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theatre. She subsequently continued in the role until the show closed. Altogether, Dale Kristien was featured in more than 1,700 performances – the longest running Christine in captivity and the only actress allowed to play the role for all eight shows per week, anywhere in the world.
John Sawoski arranged and musical directed for 
