Some Enchanted Evening: Modern Sensations Jazz Up Broadway Favorites

MALIBU, CA – September 20, 2024 – A trio of fast-rising gifted artists, all veterans of the popular musical collective Postmodern Jukebox, are making plans to criss-cross the nation as part of an anticipated national tour with their all-new concert entitled “Some Enchanted Evening.” Produced and managed by IMG Artists, “Some Enchanted Evening” will be at Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University on Wednesday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. 

Emmy® nominated trumpeter Benny Benack III and internet sensation vocalist Stella Cole share top-billing in “Some Enchanted Evening,” a jazz-steeped sojourn exploring a bevy of The Great American Songbook’s most enduring hits from the Golden Age of Broadway to today. The two exceptionally talented artists will be joined by tap dance phenom Jabu Graybeal as well as a five-piece band. The concert program includes selections from many shows from Broadway and the Silver Screen including “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Sound of Music,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Hamilton,” “Oliver!” and of course, “South Pacific.”

“Some Enchanted Evening” celebrates a century of music from Broadway favorites, seamlessly blending timeless music and dance, with jazzy takes on beloved classics (“Over the Rainbow” and “The Sound of Music”) to contemporary hits (“My Shot”). “Some Enchanted Evening” is more than a show. It's an unforgettable experience that pays homage to the enduring legacy of Broadway, bringing together music and dance in a way that resonates with audiences of all ages. 

Ahead of the anticipated tour, Benny Benack III states, “Our concert is the perfect marriage between the majesty of musical theatre, with the spontaneity of swing! So many songs from the golden era of Broadway have become part of the jazz canon, so it’s a perfect fusion. Stella Cole is a modern-day starlet of stage and screen, and Jabu is the most exciting and show-stopping tap dancer in the world right now. Combining all of these talents together feels like we just assembled the Avengers of showbiz—get your popcorn ready!”

Stella Cole adds, “I’m excited to perform alongside Benny and Jabu because we’re all such different artists, and we’ll all have really different takes on this repertoire. It’s going to feel like a night out at an old school variety show, where they had lots of musicians, singers, and dancers. Seriously, I can’t wait!”

At their Pepperdine performance, the band will also include Miki Yamanaka (Piano), Russell Hall (Bass), Joe Peri (Drums) and Jarien Jamanila (Saxophone).

Tickets are available now and priced starting at $25.50–$53 for the public. Price includes ticket fees. Discounted tickets are available for groups, Military, Wave Associates, and Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and alumni. To purchase tickets, call the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts box office at (310) 506-4522 or visit the “Some Enchanted Evening” event page.

About Benny Benack III (Trumpet, Vocals, Music Director)

By age 31, Emmy-nominated trumpeter and singer Benny Benack III has proven to be that rarest of talents: a fiery trumpet player with a stirring command of the post-bop trumpet vernacular in the vein of Kenny Dorham and Freddie Hubbard, and a singer with a sly, mature, naturally expressive delivery in the post-Sinatra mold, performing standards and his own astute songs with a thrilling sense of showmanship. His dual talents were recognized by the 2022 Downbeat Critics Poll where he appeared as not only the #2 Rising Star Male Vocalist but a top Rising Star Trumpeter as well. Benny has performed internationally as an emcee/host for the YouTube sensation Postmodern Jukebox and achieved his own viral success amassing millions of views for his crooning alongside the Grammy-award-winning “8-Bit Big Band.”

About Stella Cole (Vocals)

Beginning with an impromptu thirty-second a cappella clip of “Over the Rainbow,” Stella Cole has become a global viral sensation for simply doing what she has been passionate about her whole life—singing songs from the Great American Songbook. With a combined social media following of over 1.6 million, Stella has caught the attention of superstars David Foster, James Taylor, Michael Bublé, John Mayer, and Meghan Trainor. She has performed in venues like Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Birdland, and the Cafe Carlyle. In 2023, she toured the United States, Australia, and New Zealand with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. Stella’s enduring influence as a viral artist and live performer lays a promising foundation for her highly anticipated self-titled debut album.

About Jabu Graybeal (Tap Dance)

From Pittsboro, NC, award-winning artist Jabu Graybeal first studied with JUBA award winner Gene Medler. For nine years, he was a member of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE), one of the most renowned youth tap companies in the world. Jabu is a Jacob’s Pillow and YoungArts Foundation alumnus who has worked and performed with a diverse group of companies, such as Caleb Teicher & Company, Emmy Nominee Chloe Arnold’s Apartment 33, Michelle Dorrance, Riverdance, and American choreographer Justin Peck. He is featured in Apple TV’s movie musical “Spirited” with Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. Jabu Graybeal is a touring star member of Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and one half of the East Coast-based music duo “SUMMERZOVR.”

About IMG Artists

The Performing Arts are essential part of the human experience. We at IMG Artists are proud to play our part within the cultural ecosystem, and are dedicated to connecting artists, creators and organizations with new, emerging and loyal audiences. Artist, Tour and Project Management relies on passionate, empathetic, insightful multi-skilled individuals who are dedicated to their work. For forty years, IMG Artists’ team across three continents has provided the expertise, direction and support needed to develop artistically, commercially and strategically successful careers for an illustrious roster of artists and projects. We encourage collaboration and innovation within the cultural industries and forge distinctive relationships and partnerships in order to craft and advance endeavors that benefit our artists and projects, but also audiences, partners and intra-industry colleagues around the world. In addition to supporting artistic talent, we are committed to the care and development of each member of the IMGA Team. The majority of our managers and senior team have been with the company since internships or first jobs, or returned to the company after exploring other roles. We want to make sure that IMGA is a place where people are respected and encouraged, so that today’s Assistant Managers and Interns are tomorrow’s leaders.

 

About the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts

Delighting more than 50,000 patrons and participants annually with live performances, art exhibitions, and local outreach opportunities, the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts serves as a hub for the arts on Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus, uniquely linking professional guest artists with Pepperdine students as well as patrons from surrounding Southern California communities. Three performance spaces, including the 450-seat Smothers Theatre, the 124-seat Raitt Recital Hall, and the “black box” Lindhurst Theatre, host hundreds of performances, rehearsals, and master classes throughout the year. The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, a dynamic, two-story exhibition space, showcases a revolving selection of modern and contemporary art with a focus on art made in California.

 

Event Details

WHAT: “Some Enchanted Evening”
WHEN: Wednesday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
TICKETS: (310) 506-4522 or “Some Enchanted Evening” event page
PRICES:  $25.50–$53 for the public. Price includes ticket fees. Discounted tickets are available for groups, Military, Wave Associates, and Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and alumni. 

 

Photos

Download a photo of “Some Enchanted Evening”
Download a photo of Benny Benack III 1 | 2 | 3
Download a photo of Stella Cole 1 | 2 | 3 
Download a photo of Jabu Graybeal 1 | 2

 

Media Contact 

Jessica Burdzinski
Marketing and Publicity Manager
jessica.burdzinski@pepperdine.edu
310.506.4055