CATRO & Key Factor – Blues, Jazz, R & B – A Tribute
- Editor
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
It’s Spring – and time to shake off the winter blues with a night of dancing to the Blues, Jazz, R&B, Neo-Soul and Funk as TWO bands who have sold out Lincoln Hall – CATRO with vocalist Tammi Dahl and Key Factor with vocalist Lori Russo – return to celebrate the late Drew Orient, ARCA’s executive director from 2009 to 2013, on Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 PM.
Before the concert from 5 to 7 PM at the Red Brick Gallery, enjoy a wine toast to Orient, whose vision instigated the creation of the RBG, at the season opener of the exhibit of Charlie Plat earthenware ceramics and Jason Lewis drawings and paintings. In remembrance of Orient, an avid amateur saxophonist who also founded a jazz series and Scottish Festivals, a lone saxophonist, Eric Francis, will be riffing in front of the RBG, as Orient was known to do.
Before the dancing and to open the show, a brief musical tribute will include bagpiper Jonathan Shegog and organist Brian Lowry of Carnival of Souls performing “Highland Cathedral” on bagpipes and the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer, longtime CATRO saxophonist Dave Kana soloing as he moves from the back of the hall to the stage – and poet Philip Terman reading a poem to the improvisation of CATRO as they did in the Poetry and Jazz concerts that Drew produced.
The dance floor at the back of the hall will be open as people are moved by CATRO and Key Factor’s superb mix of jazz, R&B classics, blues, samba, bossa nova, romantic ballads, Caribbean styles, Neo soul, and Funk.
Adults – $20. Beer and Wine will be sold – cash bar. Buy online at alleghenyriver stone.org or call 724-659-3153 to reserve and pay with cash/check at the door.
It is with great sadness that Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts honors in his passing Drew Orient, ARCA’s creative impresario and Executive Director for five years.
In 2009, Drew stepped in as the Executive Director of Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts after ARCA’s founding board members and executive director departed after chartering the organization, refurbishing Lincoln Hall, and presenting two and a half years of concerts.
An innovative and creative impresario, Drew had a passion for music, and especially jazz, and in five seasons built a foundation for ARCA without which it would not exist today.
He was a steadfast friend of ARCA, sharing Arthur and Patricia Steffee’s vision of bringing inspiring art and music to the Allegheny-Clarion River valley and working closely with them and Board members Tom and Nancy Hovis and Constance Hambrick Rennard in building the organization and its Membership.
During his tenure, he produced the Scottish Festival that featured Scottish athletic competitions, soccer clinics, sheep dog demonstrations, Scottish dog agility and obedience shows, with Celtic music concerts abounding at RiverStone estate, in Lincoln Hall, and outdoors on the Foxburg Green. Over the years, the festival brought thousands of people to the valley and RiverStone Estate.
Drew was an inspiring force behind Donna Edmond’s founding of the Red Brick Gallery. An avid saxophonist who is remembered riffing as he sat in front of the Red Brick Gallery, Drew produced summer jazz festivals, including concerts on the Foxburg village green,and fostered the jazz and poetry concerts with Mark DeWalt & CATRO, Phil Terman, and Andy Johnson.
An excellent writer with a gift for poetic description, Drew generated ARCA’s marketing and promotional materials, working closely with Dave Staab of the Progress News, for which he also wrote a column on natural gas exploration called “Natural Gas 4 Us”.
Drew will be long remembered and honored for his generosity, enthusiasm for the arts, and friendship to many in the valley.