Terry Wollmand & Melanie Taylor
Terry Wollman & Melanie Taylor Kick Off the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts Music Series
Terry Wollman and Melanie Taylor were joined by special guest Will Donato (sax/flute), and Felice Hernandez (Vocals), Jamila Ford (Vocals), Tracy Carter (Piano), Ian Martin (Bass), and John Ferraro (Drums). The audience was treated to a delightful program of music that combined melodic, easy flowing music for the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts Music Series.
On July 9th, summer nights once again reverberated with music at the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters as Terry Wollman and Melanie Taylor kicked off the Friday evening music series in Laguna Beach. Coordinated by Susan Hartnett Davis, Director of Events, the Festival of Arts features some of the top musicians from around Southern California.
Terry Wollman & Melanie Taylor certainly fit this category as Wollman is a producer, guitarist, music director, and composer. Terry has worked with Melissa Manchester, Billy Preston, The Crusaders, Little Richard, Wilson Phillips, Joan Baez, Joe Walsh, Keb’ Mo’; and Melanie Taylor has toured extensively with Barry Manilow around the world. Her other credits include Bette Midler’s Harlettes for a decade, as well as other tours, events, and recordings with John Mayer, Aerosmith, Barry Manilow, Jeffrey Osborne, and Patti Austin. Both perform regularly with renowned musicians, while maintaining their own solo careers; plus, the couple performs together in Southern California’s local music scene.
Onstage that evening were: Terry Wollman (guitar), Melanie Taylor (lead vocals) with special guest Will Donato (sax/flute) Felice Hernandez (Vocals), Jamila Ford (Vocals), Tracy Carter (Piano), Ian Martin (Bass), and John Ferraro (Drums). The audience was treated to a delightful program of music that combined melodic, easy flowing music like Song For My Father and the hard -rocking, fast- paced driving rhythm of No Problem, both Wollman’s original compositions. Melanie Taylor spiced the evening’s festivities, singing tunes like Ooh Child and Feeling Good with her deep intonation, smooth phrasing and soulful belting. Will Donato ramped up the songs with his snazzy sax playing – hitting all the high notes with gusto.
The band ended the night performing I Got the Music In Me causing the appreciative audience to get up to dance and clap their hands to the beat. It was a wonderful celebration of the return to live music where everyone who had the music in them throughout the pandemic, could finally let loose with happiness.
If you would like to attend the music series concerts at the Festival of the Arts here’s the link for tickets: https://www.foapom.com/summer-art-show/music-schedule/
Terry Wollman’s info: https://terrywollman.com
Melanie Taylor’s info: https://www.melanietaylorartist.com
Photos and video taken by: Sheryl Aronson, Schmooze Jazz Magazine &
Sasaphotos
