arts & entertainment

2004 was a big year for 16-year-old John Stevens. The red head who grew up crooning the songs of yesteryear made it to a sixth-place finish during the third season of American Idol. 20 years hence, he has forged a successful career singing standards from the Great American Songbook and his own American idols, especially Frank Sinatra.

On Sunday afternoon, March 24 at 3:00 PM, Stevens will channel the greats when he joins the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra for Sinatra, Martin & More, at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Avenue in Vero Beach, 32960. The SCSO and the Jazz Orchestra will combine as John Stevens performs riveting selections from George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. The audience will hear “You Make Me Feel so Young,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and more, as Stevens and the SCSO swing through a century of America’s greatest music. $30 tickets for Sinatra, Martin & More are available through the orchestra website at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust, beachside and mainland branches. Tickets at the door are $35. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about Sinatra, Martin & More, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.   

Stevens credits his grandparents with introducing him to the music that would shape his performing and recording career.

“When I was five, I was introduced by my grandparents to the Great American Songbook and classic tunes of Dean Martin, Cole Porter, Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, and, of course, my all-time favorite vocalist, Frank Sinatra,” reads the text from Stevens’ website. “There was something special about Frank. He was so unique and smooth with his phrasing. No one can perform like the ‘Chairman of the Board.'”

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Artistic Director, Aaron T. Collins predicts John Stevens will delight the audience with songs made famous by Sinatra, Martin & More.

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about the Space Coast Symphony 2023-24 season or the Symphony for Everyone ticket program, visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.

ABOUT JOHN STEVENS — Although John didn’t clinch the title of the last contestant standing on “American Idol,” his impressive 6th-place finish in the show’s third season opened doors for him to pursue his dreams. The summer of 2004 saw him touring with the “top 10” from that season, performing in 49 shows across 46 cities in the USA and Canada. During this time, he made appearances on notable national television shows like Ryan Seacrest Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Live with Regis and Kelly. In June 2005, John released his debut solo album, “RED,” on Maverick Records. He also had a five-day stint at Feinstein’s Jazz Club at The Regency Hotel in NYC and graduated from high school. Post-graduation, he continued to showcase his musical talents at various venues, including Shea’s Buffalo, The Atlantis Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas, and The Dakota in Minneapolis. Moreover, John actively participated in fundraisers for charitable organizations such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, The Jerry Lewis Telethon, and NAMM in Washington DC, supporting music education in schools.

During his time at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, John collaborated with faculty and fellow students on campus projects and performances. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in May 2009.

Following graduation, he returned to Buffalo, NY, for the release of “Home for Christmas,” a holiday album produced with the talents of Queen City musicians. In the Greater Boston area, he became the youngest host on WICN 90.5 FM, hosting “A Tasteful Blend” from 6 AM to 9 AM on Thursdays and Fridays, while also continuing to perform with The Beantown Swing Orchestra. In 2012, John embarked on his own project, forming The John Stevens Band with a carefully selected ensemble of talented New England musicians. The band, armed with stellar arrangements by Danny Fratina, worked on “Mr. Nice Guy,” John’s first album featuring his original material. On April 7th, 2015, “Mr. Nice Guy” was digitally released, marking John’s triumphant entry into the world of original music.

Since then, John has been dedicated to crafting his own songs and has had the privilege of performing across the U.S. with esteemed big bands and orchestras, including The Boston Pops, The Bay Philharmonic, The Cape Cod Symphony, and The CDA Big Band. Learn more about John Stevens at http://www.johnstevensband.com/

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.

Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements.  LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor.  Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community. 

School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID.  In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert. Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. The nonprofit organization also maintains the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, with several free performances each year. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276.