How do you honour two of the greatest voices in jazz history? Ella & Louis creators and performers Alana Bridgewater and Jeremiah Sparks join us to talk about the personal stories, musical research, and collaborative energy behind their new show at the Shaw Festival.
From scatting origins to Oscar Peterson’s early recordings, this episode covers the legacy of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and what it means to bring their joy, humour, and political weight into a contemporary performance. We also hear about how Alana ended up touring with Corey Hart.
Alana Bridgewater is a powerhouse performer and vocalist who has appeared across Canada in roles from Ma Rainey to Wiletta Mayer in Trouble in Mind. At Shaw, she’s known for My Fair Lady, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Amen Corner.
Jeremiah Sparks is a beloved Shaw Festival ensemble member and music director of The Shaw’s Gospel Choir. A celebrated actor and musician, he’s played Louis Armstrong in Satchmo Suite and Mufasa in The Lion King, with a deep legacy rooted in Nova Scotia’s gospel and jazz traditions.
Tickets to all of our shows are available now at shawfest.com.
Hosted by Alexis Milligan
Produced by Kelly Wong
Original Music by Travis Seetoo
We want to hear from you! Drop us a line at podcast@shawfest.com
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