Leon Russell at StageOne, Fairfield, CT

Leon Russell is a Rock legend that deserves and definitely gets, respect from his appreciative audiences, and the StageOne audience was no different. While it is usual to give a standing ovation at the end of a stellar performance, the audience who came out on a very cold winter’s night on February 17, 2015 stood and applauded as Leon Russell took the stage. 

StageOne has an intimate theatre-in-the-round set-up perfect for getting to know, reacquaint, or celebrate the musicians and the music you love, where you get close to the action no matter where you sit in the house. Leon Russell is a consummate performer and the StageOne set-up provided the opportunity to feel like you were just sitting around chatting and getting to know more about him and the interesting life he has thus far lead, as he interspersed his songs by telling stories about his life, and about the songs that he wrote. 

Leon Russell

Not one to simply sit about, Leon Russell grew up in Oklahoma and took piano lessons at age 4, and by the time he was 14 he was playing in Tulsa nightclubs and bars. His band The Starlighters consisted of JJ Cale, Leo Feathers, Chuck Blackwell, and Johnny Williams; certainly a great start to one’s career. After graduating from high school he took off for Los Angeles, studied guitar with James Burton, and his career took off from there as a musician, producer, arranger, and singer songwriter. 

Throughout his long career he has played with too many to list of Rock’s notables, a few of which include being on Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, playing with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Edgar Winter, Willie Nelson, Sir Elton John, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, and BB King. Of BB King, Leon stated that he studied Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, et al, and BB King; and that he loves BB King. Then again, what is not to like about the inimitable BB King.  

In addition to writing and arranging songs for his own band, he has been the talent behind the hit songs of many a singer and other bands as the songwriter, arranger, and producer. In 2011, Leon Russell was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an Award for Musical Excellence.   

Leon opened the StageOne show with Everlovin’ Woman to great applause and over the course of the evening he played many audience favorites that included Tight Rope and Magic Mirror from his 1968 Carney album, along with One More Love Song, Wild Horses, Georgia, I’ve Just Seen A Face, Sweet Emily, A Song For You, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, and many more.  

By the last song of the evening, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Leon Russell and his band had delivered the goods for a magical evening of music that was part Rock, Blues, and a little Hillbilly tossed in for good measure. 

Riley P. Etheridge, Jr. and his band was the opening act, and as a Southern Louisiana boy growing up, Leon Russell was one of his heroes and going out on tour with a "living legend of Rock & Roll" is a definite thrill. A few choice songs he performed included Powder Keg off his album by the same name, which he wrote after he first returned to Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina, Another Time, Another Place, They Still Dance, and The More I Learn (The Less I Know) off his The Arrogance of Youth album. 

For information on upcoming Leon Russell performances, please visit the website: www.LeonRussellRecords.com/Touring_Info.shtml   

"The Fairfield Theatre Company is a nonprofit center for the arts and culture located in the heart of downtown Fairfield, Connecticut. We bring together a community of musicians, actors, artists, writers, fans, and supporters who are dedicated to the simple premise that the broadest spectrum of live entertainment and cultural exchange is essential to the vitality of our society." 

Fairfield Theater Company has three venues in Connecticut that attract top talent, StageOne in Fairfield (225-seat venue), The Klein in Bridgeport (1,400-seat proscenium theater), and the Norwalk Concert Hall in Norwalk (1,036-seat venue).  

"Established in 2004, StageOne is a 225-seat venue in the heart of downtown Fairfield, Connecticut. Originally built primarily for theatre productions, StageOne is consistently voted as the best place to hear live music in the entire region because of the quality of the sound, the intimacy of the space, and the caliber of the artists. There is literally not a bad seat in the house and there are few venues in the country where the fans can be so close to the world-renowned artists who grace the stage in over 200 concerts and productions a year. The artists love to perform here and frequently cite StageOne as their absolute favorite venue. This brings out the very best in them, which is reflected in the quality of their performances and enjoyment of their fans." 

StageOne is conveniently located directly across from the Fairfield Train Station making it easily accessible by car or by train via Metro North. By car, it is a 30-minute drive from Greenwich and New Haven, a 60-minute drive from Hartford, and a 90-minute drive from New York City.  

Please visit the website, www.FairfieldTheatre.org for program information on upcoming performances at all three of their venues. For tickets or information, please call: +1-203-259-1036. 

A few of the many upcoming shows at StageOne in Fairfield:

A few of the upcoming shows at The Klein in Bridgeport:

A few of the upcoming shows at Norwalk Concert Hall:

StageOne
Fairfield Theatre Company
70 Sanford Street (across from the Fairfield Train Station)
Fairfield, CT 06824
Box Office:     +1-203-259-1036
Email:             info@fairfieldtheatre.org
Website:         www.FairfieldTheatre.org
Facebook:       www.Facebook.com/FairfieldTheatreCompany

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