Harold Arlen Foundation to Mark 70th Anniversary of 'The Wizard of Oz' with Free Music Outreach and 'Broadway-Type' Show
By: Robert Diamond Aug. 20, 2009
August 25th marks the 70th anniversary of the national release of the iconic movie classic "The Wizard of Oz." Sam Arlen , the son of the musical wizard Harold Arlen who penned the famous movie score including the Oscar winning song, "Over The Rainbow," created the foundation to teach children and under-served audiences the cultural importance of The Jazz Pop standard, an indigenous American art form.
Getting behind the cause are celebrated Harold Arlen Foundation board members Hugh Hefner, founder Playboy Jazz Festival, Gloria Vanderbilt, a lifelong friend of the composer, jazz artist John Pizzarelli, Hal David, lyricist to Burt Bacharach, Robert Osborne host of Turner Classic Movies, legendary performers Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme and Tony nominated Broadway producer, Tom Gregory.
The foundation is already delivering its free music outreach program to public junior and high schools this fall in Las Vegas. "Over The Rainbow: The Master Class" is being taught by Las Vegas resident Sam Arlen and noted recording artist George Bugatti, who will deliver the jazz music classes to over 8,000 school children within the Clark County School District this fall. Bugatti and Arlen both attended the High School of Performing Arts (The Fame School) in New York so they more than understand the essential nature of music in learning.
"We were shocked to find out the state of music in public schools. Budget cuts have all but obliterated music programs," says Bugatti. Arlen and Bugatti 's response was to create this program to expose kids to jazz music and the cultural significance of the American Standard. HAF is currently in talks with both Los Angeles and NY School Districts to plan for the presentation of these classes.
HAF also has in development a Broadway-type show to expose audiences to this nostalgic genre of music. The show was co-created by Andrew Lloyd Weber's business partner and executive music producer of Warner Bros. "Phantom of The Opera," Nigel Wright. Other goals include a PBS special featuring a variety of contemporary artists performing the songs of Harold Arlen and other various radio programming and presentations. Harold Arlen compositions number over 500, including "Stormy Weather," "Paper Moon," "The Man that Got Away," and Sinatra musical mainstays, "One For My Baby" and "I've Got the World on a String." HAF was founded by Sam Arlen, George Bugatti and Mary Shriver Bugatti.
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