The Update | Trumpet Great Morrison in Concert; Hubbard’s Taylor Borton to Release New Song

BOARDMAN, Ohio – Trumpet great James Morrison will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Boardman Performing Arts Center at Boardman High School, 7777 Glenwood Ave.

Morrison will be on stage with the school’s Jazz Ensembles 1 and 2 and a special jazz combo. He will be joined by trumpeter Willie Murillo of Los Angeles.

Morrison, of Australia, is a multi-instrumentalist who has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, B.B. King and Wynton Marsalis.

“We have brought many amazing artists to Boardman for our annual JazzFest, including last year’s two-time Grammy winner, Eric Marienthal,” said Boardman band director Tom Ruggieri. “This year may be the best yet.”

Morrison has recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and rock band INXS. He has performed for the queen of England as well as Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton.

Tickets are $10 ($5 for students, $3 for senior citizens) and can be purchased in advance at boardmanband.org or at the door.

“It is my biggest thrill to watch my students play alongside the greats and see their faces light up,” Ruggieri said. “Bringing a virtuoso like Morrison to Boardman as he travels the world is a dream for me, and I just want to share it with as many in our community as possible.”

Taylor Borton to Release New Single

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Taylor Borton will release her next single, “My Opry,” on Friday, Jan. 13. The song is an optimistic reminder that the journey of life can be just as important as reaching the destination.

It’s a theme that subtly ties in to Borton’s own career journey. The Hubbard, Ohio, native and country-folk singer-songwriter moved to Nashville to pursue her career goals. Musically, she puts her own twist on traditional country, folk and Americana styles.

“My Opry” comes on the heels of her previous singles, “Glove Box Lighter,” “Native,” “When the Shine’s All Gone,” “Broken Wing,” “Give a Damn” and “If I Were London.”

For information, go to taylorbortonmusic.com.

Poets With Youngstown Roots in Online Reading

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Lit Youngstown will host Youngstown Live, an online benefit reading featuring Ross Gay of Bloomington, Ind., and Rochelle Hurt of Orlando, Fla., at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, on Zoom.

Both poets spent part of their childhood in Youngstown, and their reading kicks off an annual series that will spotlight writers with roots in the Mahoning Valley.

“This place made a deep impression on these poets,” said Karen Schubert, Lit Youngstown director. “Youngstown is in the blood and words of quite a few accomplished contemporary writers, and we are proud of our literary legacy.”

Gay is the author of four books of poetry and winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. He will read from his new collection of essays, “Inciting Joy.” Gay will be the featured poet at the 2023 Fall Literary Festival in Youngstown in October.

Hurt is the author of three poetry collections and winner of the Blue Light Books Prize, the Barrow Street Poetry Prize and the White Pine Press Marie Alexander Series Prize. She will read from “The J Girls: A Reality Show.”

After the reading, a discussion will be moderated by poet Philip Memmer, author of six poetry collections and director of the Downtown Syracuse Writers Center.

To register, go to LitYoungstown.org.

Auditions for ‘Matilda, the Musical’ Tonight

SALEM, Ohio – Auditions for Salem Community Theatre’s production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda, the Musical” will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. today (Monday, Jan. 9) at the theater, 490 E. State St.

Auditionees must sing a section of a song of their choice (does not have to be memorized; music from the show is preferred). No accompanist will be provided. Auditionees can use a phone recording as accompaniment or sing a capella. They will also be asked to read from the script and asked to research the roles they are interested in. Auditionees may be asked to read with a specific accent/character voice. Casting from ages 8 and up. Performance dates are March 2-5.

Pictured at top: James Morrison, left, will perform at Boardman Performing Arts Center on Jan. 17. Taylor Borton, right, will release her new song Friday.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.