Grace Notes: Paul Newman
Music Archives
OCT 2, 2008
With the recent death of the inestimable actor and philanthropist,
Paul Newman, my memories and thoughts turned to one of my all-time favorite movies,
The Sting. Paul Newman and Robert Redford starred in this 1973 film as two con artists; the plot and 1930's setting were enhanced by Marvin Hamlisch's Academy Award winning orchestrations of the original
Scott Joplin rags including "Solace," "Pineapple Rag," "Easy Winners," "Gladiolus Rag," "Rag Time Dance" and "The Entertainer".
This movie served as the impetus for the revival of
Joplin's music and the ragtime tradition. Many artists including Dick Hyman, Max Morath and Joshua Rifkin seized the moment to promote this popular American music that flourished from about 1896 to 1918.
Ragtime music not only referred to piano music but to dance, instrumental and vocal music. It rose from the African-American community, was noted for its syncopated rhythm and was an antecedent of jazz.
Many musical organization have benefitted from the largesse of
Newman's Own Foundation including the Metropolitan Opera, Music and Arts Center for Humanity, Music Mountain Inc., New York City Opera, etc. Diane Wittry, conductor of the Norwalk Symphony, publicly acknowledged his support at Saturday's concert.
As so aptly put by Wednesday's October 1, 2008
Westport News' headline, "He Left His Mark on All He Touched."
Posted by
MargieF on October 2, 2008 4:39 PM |
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Comments (0) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'd like to express my deepest sympathies to the Newman family. Although I never met Mr. Newman, being in the entertainment industry I've known people who knew him and/or had the honor to work with him. I also was inspired by his many acts of selflessness and giving back. He also influenced my race car driving on Lime Rock race track, Pocono Raceway and Watkins Glen International with PCA (Porsche Club of America). He also influenced my getting involved with the Hole in the Wall Gang through the PCA-sponsored fundraising events and am grateful for it. I'll never forget the night I sat in with the band at The Dressing Room this year and the atmosphere. God Bless you and your family.
R. Valentine
Drummer/Percussionist
www.HariKari.net----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary-Lou Weisman says,
"Of course we would not have known them but for their celebrity, but their celebrity is not why we loved and treasured them" Read an article that Westporter Mary-Lou Weisman wrote for the New York TImes in 1977 when asked what it's like for Westporters to live in the same town as Paul Newman.
when paul newman talks.pdf------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.E. Hotchner lived about 10 minutes from Newman and they owned boats together:"A couple of wretched boats," says Hotchner.
Newman Remembered as a Good Neighbor and Good Friend by Manny Fernandez
Read more ( Sunday New York Times Sept. 28, 2008)
Newman Remembered-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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