On Stage at Kingsborough gears up for four big performances

And all that jazz!

Over the next couple of months, On Stage at Kingsborough is hosting a slew of performances that will have Brooklynites both enlightened and excited. The four events feature jazz as well as other genres.

“Interestingly enough, from October 24th through November, they are all largely musical performances,” said Executive Director of On Stage at Kingsborough Anna Becker. “It shows just about every way the show can be a musical.”

Returning to the stage is critically acclaimed Igor Butman’s Moscow Jazz Orchestra, coined, “From Russia with Jazz.” Becker has already seen plenty of interest on the performance, slated for Saturday, October 24.

“We were overwhelmed with the response last year. It was quickly sold out with a long waiting list so we’re thrilled to have him back,” she said. “Because we have a large Russian community and large jazz following, bringing someone of his stature to southern Brooklyn has been met with enthusiasm and appreciation.”

Those who attended last year’s concert can expect a different program this year. “Butman will be bringing a singing phenomenon. Her name is Yaroslawa Simonoza, an 11-year-old who will sing in four different languages,” Becker said.

On Sunday, November 8, fans of piano can catch Grammy-Nominee Mona Golabek’s “The Pianist of Willesden Lane.”

“It’s a hybrid theater and concert piece,” said Becker. “Golabek tells the story of a mother who left Germany of Kindertransport. Her mother taught her the about power of music, to hold on to it and it would help her survive. It’s really quite moving [musically] and a beautiful piece of theater.”

Becker believes that younger attendees will learn a lot from the show. “What I find interesting and unique is that it will appeal to younger people,” she said. “There’s not much written about what happen to these children when they got off the train.”

Urban jazz performer Devin Bing will kick off Kingsborough’s newest Jazz at the Lighthouse Series at the venue’s intimate lighthouse. His show, “Slightly Standard,” will be held on Friday, November 13 and feature a twist on classic tunes in an intimate setting.

“It’s the beginning of the Jazz at Lighthouse. We are home to a modern working lighthouse. It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean,” said Becker. “In there, there is café style seating with roundtables. It’s an intimate experience. We serve wine and cheese.”

As for Bing, he will be accompanied by a drummer. “It’s my take on some of the great jazz standards of our time and yesteryear,” said Bing. “I created this artistic niche in how I developed standard songs in a whole new way and nothing is traditional. It’s just a kind of new age modern approach to old standards you hear in traditional ways, like a swing, R&B soulful funk to it.”

Bing is looking forward to playing in front of the Brooklyn crowd.

“I’m looking forward to being part of this music series and showing what I do for a new audience of people. Engaging with new listeners is very exciting,” he said.

On Saturday, November 21, Lorna Luft will celebrate her mother, Judy Garland during a performance called “Songs my Mother Taught Me.”

“There’s really a mother-daughter theme with a couple of these shows,” Becker said. “The show tells moving but funny stories of growing up as child. It’s a wonderful show”

For tickets or more information, visit http://www.onstageatkingsborough.org.