The Don & Marion Story
After winning two Grammies, arranging and conducting for such musical greats as Judy Garland, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme and Tony Bennett, Marion Evans dropped out of the music scene 25 years ago, never to write another note.
In the late 50's and early 60's Marion Evans was considered by his peers to be the Toscanini of popular musical arranging. He did eleven different Broadway Shows, seventeen different television shows and hundreds of recordings for the biggest stars of the time. Then, without warning Marion left the music business to pursue a career in the business world.
In his career, Marion was a pioneer in the developement of "back-office" software for financial institutions. His clients included the leading banks in London, Tokyo, and New York. He sold out to a Fortune 500 company in 1995 and retired to the serene elegance of life in New Canaan, CT. Then he met Don Shelden.
Don Shelden is also a New Canaan resident who had never met Marion Evans until they both met at a mutual friends dinner party in 1995. That night, a friendship was struck that would change both of their lives.
Don, 40 years old at the time, was an insurance executive had always had a life-long dream of becoming a singer in the style of Sinatra. "More a fantasy than a dream," says Don. "Between work and family, there just did not seem to be enough time to pursue anything like that, besides I had no formal training and didn't know anything about the music business.
"Over the next 4 years Marion would tutor Don in everything from pitch interpretation to listening to the rhythm section of bands for six months at a time.
"I liked the quality of Don's voice. There was something there, and it just needed to be developed," says Marion. "People don't realize the time and commitment that is needed to pursue a dream like this. Don had the talent and the passion to do it.
"And so the time was ripe. In February of 1999 Marion Evans began writing arrangements for Don. "It had been 25 years. It was like riding a bike. Man it felt good," says Marion.
The buzz in the music industry was that Marion was back in business. On August 5, 1999, seventeen of the finest musicians in NY turned out to record Marion and Don's album.
This is a modern-day Pygamalion story: four years of grueling training for Don, and the rejuvenation of a legend who truely has so much left to give to the music world.
As you listen to the album(s), the brilliantly orchestrated arrangements of some classic songs, recorded by Sinatra, Bennett and others, are reminiscent of a time when a perfect balance of instruments and voice came together. The key elements of an album, which stay with us long after the last track is played.
-Steve Horowitz
Marion Evans Resume
BROADWAY SHOWS
- Almost Crazy (Kay Medford)
- Body Beautiful
- The Boy Friend (Julie Andrews)
- Happy Hunting (Ethyl Merman)
- House of Flowers (Pearl Bailey, Diahanne Carroll)
- Mister Wonderful (Sammy Davis Jr.)
- John Murry Anderson's Almanac
- New Faces of '52
- Shuffle Along (Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle 1951)
- Paint Your Wagon (Helga San Juan, James Barton)
- What Makes Sammy Run (Steve Lawrence)
TELEVISION
- The Steve Allen Show
- Broadway Open House
- The Red Buttins Show
- The Perry Como Show
- The Helen O'Connell Show (Conductor)
- Make Me Laugh (Theme)
- The Johnny Carson Show
- The Sid Ceasar - Imagene Coco Show
- The Jackie Gleason Show
- The Arthur Godfrey Show
- Max Leiberman Spectactulars
- The Hit Parade
- The Jack Parr Show
- The Patti Page Show
- Songs For Sale
- The Ed Sullivan Show
- Marco Polo
ORCHESTRA'S
- Glenn Miller - Tex Beneke
- Tommy Dorsey
- Benny Goodman
- Vaughn Monroe
- Percy Faith
- The Boston Pops
- The Atlanta Pops
- Birmingham Symphony
- Atlanta Under The Stars
- The Auburn Knights
- The Alabama Cavaliers
RECORDINGS
- The Accidentals (ABS Paramount)
- Susan Barrett (RCA)
- Eileen Barton (Columbia)
- Count Basie - Tony Bennett (Columbia)
- Tony Bennett (Columbia)
- The Blue Stars (Mercury)
- The Four Coins (Columbia)
- Marion Evans & Orchestra (Mercury)
- Jane Froman (Capital)
- Judy Garland (Capital)
- Dave Garaway & Orchestra Urbie Green (Bethlehem)
- Merv Griffin (Decca)
- Dick HaymesLurlean Hunter (RCA)
- Howard Keel
- Julius La RosaFalicia Saunders (Mercury)
- Tommy Leonetti (RCA)
- Art Mooney (RCA)
- Teddy Randazzo (ABC Paramount)
- Teresa Rinaldi (ABC Paramount)
- George Saunders (ABC Paramount)
- Steve Lawrence (ABC Paramount, Columbia)
- Jack Lemmon (Epic)
- Burt Bachrach (Columbia)
- Marcy Lutes (Decca)
- Gordon Mac Rae (Capital)
- Ted McNabb & Orchestra (Columbia)
- The Morrison Sisters (ABC Paramount)
- Helen O'Connell (RCA)
- Edie Gorme (ABC Paramount, United Artist,Columbia)
- Roy Hamilton (Epic)
- Johnny Nash (ABC Paramount)
- Richard Hayman Orchestra (Mercury)
- Jaye P. Morgan (RCA)
- Patti Page (Mercury)
- Anthony Roma (Prep)
- Lillian Roth (Columbia)
- Doc Severinson (Command)
- Kate SmithValentino & Orchestra (ABC Paramount)
- Ralph Young (Columbia)
- Julie Wilson (RCA)
- Johnny Gilbert (Hudson)
- Lucy Vaughn (Hudson)
CABARET
- Tony Bennett
- Judy Garland
- Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
- Julius La Rosa
- Florence Henderson
- Johnny Desmond
- Darvis & Julia
- Helen O'Connell
GRAMMIES
- Blame It On The Bassa Nova - Eydie Gorme
- Go Away Little Girl - Steve Lawrence
EDUCATION
- Auburn University (Engineering)
- Julliard School of Music
- Birmingham Conservatory of Music
- G. Ackley Brower (Composition)
- Ted Royal (Schillinger System)
Any Swing Goes Band Members
Member : |
Instrument |
| Randy Andos : | Trombone |
| Kenny Berger : | Baritone Sax |
| Bruce Bonuissuto : | Trombone |
| Jerry Dodgion : | Alto Sax |
| Frank Fighera : | Trumpet |
| Andy Fusco : | Alto Sax |
| Dennis Irwin : | Bass |
| Jason Jackson : | Trombone |
| Tony Kadleck : | Trumpet |
| Gary Keller : | Tenor Sax |
| Dennis Mackrel : | Drummer |
| John Mosaca : | Trombone |
| Jeff Nelson : | Bass Trombone |
| Brian O'Flaherty : | Trumpet |
| John "Bucky" Pizzarelli : | Guitar |
| Ted Rosenthal : | Piano |
| Ron Tooley : | Trumpet |
| Walt Weiskopf : | Tenor Sax |
Imagination Band Members
Member : |
Instrument |
| Bryon Stripling : | Trumpet |
| Brian o'Flaherty : | Trumpet |
| Kemau Adilifu : | Trumpet |
| Joe Magnarelli : | Trumpet |
| John Mosca : | Trombone |
| Bruce Bonvissuto : | Trombone |
| Randy Andos : | Trombone |
| Jeff Nelson : | Bass Trombone |
| Andy Fusco : | Lead Alto Sax |
| Jerry Dodgion : | Alto Sax |
| Gary Keller : | Tenor Sax |
| Walt Weiskopf : | Tenor Sax |
| Kenny Berger : | Bariton Sax |
| Ted Rosenthal : | Piano |
| Ken Sebesky : | Guitar |
| Jerry Bruno : | Bass |
| Dennis Mackrel : | Drummer |
Additional Instumentalists
* for "In the Still of the Night" and "I Got it Bad (and that ain't good)"
| John "Bucky" Pizzarelli : | Guitar |
| Frank Fighera : | Trumpet |
| Dennis Irwin : | Bass |
| Jason Jackson : | Trombone |
| Tony Kadlek : | Trumpet |
| Ron Tooley : | Trumpet |