Page 64 - Sonoma County Gazette December 2017

MTJA Honors Sonoma County Theatre with Awards
David Templeton, Alexa Chipman, Leslie McCauley, Harry Duke, Barry Willis
Wright names guitar wizard and fellow Midwesterner, Lonnie Mack, as her mentor. She recalls
Wright On
As a young woman living in Dayton, Ohio, Cleveland-born Nancy Wright sat in with John Lee Hooker at the venue Gilly’s, leading to an invitation to join his band on the road. She went on to perform with him at Carnegie Hall, with a TV appearance after the show. “It was an
amazing experience to be a young person getting her toes wet among all those legendary people,” Wright says during an October interview. Also on that tour were Willie Dixon, Big Mama Thornton, John Hammond, and Robert Cray. An appearance with Hooker at the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival followed.
Wright had been classically trained on multiple instruments, but felt limited, calling the music “scripted.” She left classical music behind for the blues world, which allowed her more improvisation and a greater opportunity for self- expression, she says. “Improvisation is when you play whatever you really feel.”
By Harry Duke
At last count, Sonoma County had over twenty active theatre companies,
joining him regularly onstage and sitting around his kitchen in Dayton listening to demos. Before the Hooker tour, Mack had taken her on the road to New York and Nashville.
ranging from the nomadic Pegasus Theatre Company to the theatre departments of the two local institutions of higher learning. From Petaluma to Cloverdale, from Monte Rio to Sonoma, the options available for those interested in live theatre in this county are plentiful. (SEE The Small Shops GUIDE to Local Theater Companies for Tickets as GIFTS.
Two years ago, four Sonoma County based theatre critics gathered to celebrate the best of local theatre through an awards process. While Sonoma County has made a respectable showing in Theatre Bay Area awards over the past few years, local critics thought there was enough theatre produced in this county to warrant their own honors.
In 1984, due to
a recommendation from a member of Hooker’s band, Wright landed in San Francisco with the critically acclaimed New Orleans R&B band, Hot Links, which included top
Thus was born the Marquee Theater Journalists Association and the MTJA Awards, named for the legendary Marquee Theatre of Santa Rosa where
many local artists began their theatrical careers. Awards are given in fteen categories that recognize outstanding work in Sonoma County productions that opened from September of the previous year to August of the current year.
The awards are separated by genre, with categories recognizing the di erences between dramas, comedies, and musicals. (for the FULL List
of productions earning awards, please visit www.SonomaCountyGazette.com) Collectively, the members of the Association attended 63 productions and nominated 75 theatre artists and companies. Here are the nominees and recipients of this year’s MTJA Awards:
San Francisco musicians. Wright’s motive for the move, she says, was to pursue her career in a larger urban environment with exposure to more musicians.
Outstanding Musical Production
Awardee: In the Heights
Outstanding Comedy Production
Awardee: Becky’s New Car Outstanding Drama Production
Awardee: Visiting Mr. Green
Outstanding Lead Performance in a
Musical
Awardee: Daniela Innocenti-Beem.
Outstanding Lead Performance in a
Comedy
Awardee: Melissa Claire
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama
Awardee: Alan Kaplan
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical
Awardee: Erik Weiss
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy
Awardee: Heather Gordon.
Outstanding Poster/Program Design
Awardee: Pagliacci
Outstanding Set Design
Awardee: Peter Crompton.
Outstanding Costumes
Awardee: Maci Cae Hosler.
Outstanding Light Design
Awardee: Eddy Hansen.
Outstanding Sound Design
Awardee: Doug Faxon.
Outstanding Choreography
AHillman, Anakarina Swanson
Please read the COMPLETE
list of award nominations at SonomaCountyGazette.com: Marquee Theater Journalists Association Honors Sonoma County Theatre Arts
Following that, opportunities rolled in. Wright connected with classic blues/R&B pianist Katie Webster, and performed with her at the Chicago Blues Festival. They recorded together, including on a Grammy-winning B.B King album. Others she’s performed with include Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King, Albert Collins, and Ike Turner (at Sweet Jimmie’s in Oakland.)
During the 1990’s, Wright’s career slowed during a failed marriage. She still lives in the Bay Area, touring and doing mix and match gigs with local musicians. “I’m blessed to be where all this great talent is.”
The fact that she’s “self-driven,” has led to much success. In 2013, the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame named her Blues Saxophone Player of the Year, an event she calls “a total surprise.” This year she received her rst Blues Music Award nomination as Best Instrumentalist – Horns, a national award leading her to greater renown. “I penetrated that consciousness,” she says.
Wright, has two of her own bands, choosing players from a “roster” of locals. “It morphs over time,” she says. Her predominant styles are blues, R&B, New Orleans, funk, and gospel, referring to herself as “old school.” “I tend to be more melodic,” she adds. In 2009, she started adding vocals, which were “well- received.” “People like to be sung to.” Also, she’s writing more songs. “It’s a real special joy to play that music.”
Wright is currently on the road with Tommy Castro’s band, with whom she’s playing New Year’s Eve at the Mystic Theater. “Tommy has been so supportive,” Wright says.
nancywrightmusic.com/
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