NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA CONCERT BAND
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A Newmarket physician by day, renowned pianist at night, Dr. John Brown is performing with his friend of 30 years, Frank Sinatra tribute artist Rick Stephenson at the Orillia Concert Band’s Frank Sinatra Comes Home to Orillia! On May 11 and 12.
The Orillia Concert Band, under the direction of Randy Hoover, is proud to present Frank Sinatra Comes Home to Orillia! with special guest, internationally awarded Frank Sinatra tribute artist Rick Stephenson (www.HisSinatra.com), accompanied by his pianist of 30 plus years, John Brown.
Rick Stephenson, a long-term resident of Orillia who only moved after ‘retirement’ to be closer to his children, is finally bringing his award-winning Frank Sinatra tribute act home to Orillia!. Rick, a professional performer, was the leader of the big band Endangered Species which played not only in Orillia, but all over Ontario, including opening the Jerry Lewis telethon and appeared on Breakfast TV!
To see Rick Stephenson in action, please watch this YouTube video.
The Orillia Concert Band, joined by members of the Orillia Big Band and Rick’s pianist John Brown, are thrilled to provide the big band accompaniment to Rick’s Frank Sinatra tribute performance.
The Orillia Concert Band will also be performing a number of entertaining big band pieces, including A Tribute to Count Bassie and Glenn Miller in Concert.
Due to the intense interest in this concert the Orillia Concert Band has taken the unprecedented action of scheduling a second performance! The concerts are on Saturday evening, May 11 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday afternoon, May 12 at 2:30 p.m., both at St.Paul’s Centre in Orillia (62 Peter St. N.).
Yes, May 12 is Mother’s Day! So give your mom a treat and take her to lunch and a concert she will cherish.
Tickets are available online. Saturday night’s concert is almost sold out but a limited number of tickets have been reserved for purchase at the door (cash only) at both concerts for those who can’t purchase tickets online. (If the Saturday concert shows sold out online, please consider attending the Sunday concert and leave the limited door tickets for those who can’t purchase online tickets. Thank you!)
Please note that the online ticket charge will be from Zeffy on your credit card statement.
Ticket Prices:
- Adults - $25.
- Seniors (60+) - $20.
- Post secondary students - $15.
- Youth (5-18) - $10
- Children under 5 free
Doors open Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30. p.m. Use the west entrance only. Refreshments and snacks can be purchased in the lobby pre-show and at intermission.
A huge thank you to OCB major sponsors:
- Season Sponsor: Steve Orr of Dapper Depot.
- Concert Sponsor: Marites Mendoza of RBC Wealth Management.
- Major Sponsor: Couchiching Craft Brewing Company.
- Live Stream Sponsor: Len Skok of Pine Tree Real Estate
Performer Information:
Rick Stephenson, a former long time resident of Orillia, and a genuine Sinatra fan, sings a dynamic authentic tribute to Old Blue Eyes. A deep love and respect for Sinatra and his music led Rick to a career tributing The Chairman of the Board. Rick’s musical journey began young leading his first big band at the age of 15. Graduating from Humber College in Trombone Performance, he was mentored by Order of Canada recipient, Ron Collier. For 25 years as leader, singer and trombonist, Rick toured with his own 17 piece band, The Endangered Species Big Band, later called Rick Stephenson and His Orchestra.
Milestone performances have included opening the Jerry Lewis Telethon and the first Big Band Music video on Bravo/MTV. As a Frank Sinatra tribute artist, Rick was honoured in 2023 to have been invited to perform at Swing46 jazz club in New York City, performing with Dave Post and the Swingadelic Big Band. Rick has released a number of Frank Sinatra tribute albums (see HisSinatra.com). In 2023 Rick released his newest tribute album Reflections In The Wee Small Hours paying homage to Sinatra’s In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning. Rick is currently in the studio recording a new album, Singing For Sinatra to be released in 2024. This album will include songs Rick believes Sinatra would have sang given the chance.
In 2023, Rick was nominated for Tribute Artist of The Year in Nashville TN. (Josie Music Awards). He also tied for first place in the International - My Way Sinatra Sing-Off in Hoboken NJ. Rick appeared in the PBS Special, Here’s The Story filmed in Hoboken during the competition and followed up with a performance in NYC with The Swingadelic Big Band. Rick was just nominated in six categories for the Red Carpet Music Awards in Europe. Rick is thrilled to “Come Home to Orillia!” to perform with the talented musicians in the OCB & OBB.
John Brown, Pianist: John has known Rick Stephenson for over 30 years. They initially met when John joined Rick's band, The Endangered Species Big Band playing piano and keyboard. John has studied for many years with renowned Toronto jazz pianist and educator Frank Falco. John is a family physician in Newmarket with a special connection to Orillia. In 2011, he completed his Private Pilot Training at the Orillia Ramara airport. As well as a talented jazz pianist, John is an orchestrator, arranger, recording engineer and is currently putting the finishing touches on a new album with Rick called Singin' For Sinatra to be release spring 2024.
The Orillia Concert Band is a 45 member recreational band based in the Orillia area, featuring wind, brass, and percussion instruments. Members range in age between 18 years to 81 years! The OCB presents a four-concert series each year plus charitable fund raisers and concerts for special events. Further Information on the Orillia Concert Band and upcoming concerts is available on the OCB’s Website and Facebook page.
Randy Hoover has been a contributor to the Orillia music community for many years. He has a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario as well as a Master’s of Education degree from St. Mary’s University. He holds an Associate Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Trumpet Performance. He has taught secondary school music in Nova Scotia, Shelburne Ontario and Orangeville. For the past seven years Randy has taught at Lakehead in the education program. Locally, Randy has played in the Orillia Concert Band, the Orillia Silver Band, the Sensations Rhythm and Blues Band and with the Mariposa Arts Theatre. He is founder of the Leacock Brass Quintet and has been conductor of the Orillia Silver Junior Band. He is the founder of the Jazz Standards Trio and is currently the Music Director of the Orillia Concert Band and the Orillia Big Band.
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