Sheri and Lincoln Mayorga presented two New York performances of "American Snapshots -- Two Hundred Years of American Music" in concert at the Hudson Opera House on May 6, and again on May 27 at the Spencertown Academy in a performance-workshop to benefit the Henrietta Reiss Scholarship. This program which the Mayorgas are currently touring includes a variety of songs and piano solos from Stephen Foster and Louis Moreau Gottschalk to Randy Newman and Bix Beiderbecke.

This photo of Lincoln, Nick, Sheri, and Juan Carlos Mayorga was taken in London on a promotional tour of England and Scotland hosted by pianist Sir George Donald. The itinerary included a dinner-meeting with London concert manager Athole Still. Edward R. Murrow used to ride around in taxis just like this one!

The unusual reunion of Lawrence Leighton Smith, music director, and composer Lincoln Mayorga, at the 2006 New Year's Eve concert of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic involved a changing of roles. In 1986, Smith, as conductor and Mayorga, as producer made historic recordings in Russia with the Moscow Philharmonic. These recordings of Russian masterworks, soon to be redistributed by TownHall Records, were originally issued on the Sheffield Lab label as The Moscow Sessions, to high critical acclaim. At this event, they took on different roles: Smith as piano soloist and Mayorga as composer. The work performed was Mayorga's "Angels' Flight", for piano and symphony orchestra. Associate conductor Thomas Wilson was on the podium at the Pikes Peak Performing Arts Center in Colorado Springs.

In the photo above, Mayorga has just completed revisions to his score of "Louis in New Orleans," a commission from L'Ensemble, which was premiered recently at the New York State Performing Arts Center and Southern Vermont College. (photo: Chris Shields)

This summer, Mayorga will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his collaboration with singer-songwriter Bruce Belland, lead singer of The Four Preps. Lincoln was arranger and pianist for the quartet which recorded a string of hits for Capitol Records. Mark your calendar for their upcoming duo concert, August 20, in Chatham, New York. Details will follow in the next newsletter.

For additional LINCOLN MAYORGA information, please visit www.lincolnmayorga.com.