New Westminster, BC — While Cole Porter is best known for his sophisticated Broadway melodies and Hollywood glamour, the legendary American composer’s lesser-known connection to Germany adds an intriguing dimension to an upcoming Valentine’s Day concert celebration of his work.
“You’re The Top: The Cole Porter Songbook on Film and Live” featuring the Laura Crema Sextet comes to the Anvil Theatre on Saturday, February 14 at 7:00 pm, offering audiences an evening of Porter’s timeless compositions through both classic film clips and live jazz performances.
Porter, who ranks among the 20th century’s greatest songwriters, studied at Harvard before pursuing music at the Schola Cantorum in Paris. However, his European education also included time in Germany, where he was exposed to the rich musical traditions that would subtly influence his sophisticated compositional style.
During the 1920s and early 1930s, Porter frequently traveled through Germany during its Weimar Republic era, a period of extraordinary cultural and artistic flourishing in Berlin and other German cities. The cabaret culture, avant-garde theater, and jazz scenes he encountered there left an indelible mark on his work, contributing to the cosmopolitan sophistication that became his signature.
Porter’s rare ability to write both lyrics and music for his songs — a skill shared by few of his contemporaries — produced classics that married wit with seductive melodies. His work reflected a distinctly European sensibility that set him apart from other American songwriters of his era.
The upcoming Anvil Theatre production, hosted by classic film scholar Michael van den Bos, will showcase Porter’s artistry through curated film clips from Hollywood’s golden age, interlaced with live performances by acclaimed Canadian jazz vocalist Laura Crema. She will be accompanied by an stellar ensemble: Tilden Webb (piano), Alvin Brendan (guitar), Dave Say (saxophone), Conrad Good (bass), and Nino Dipasquale (drums).
The Valentine’s Day timing is particularly fitting, as Porter’s romantic ballads have provided the soundtrack to countless love stories both on screen and off. Songs like “Night and Day,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and the show’s namesake “You’re the Top” continue to resonate with audiences nearly a century after their composition.
For German-speaking audiences and cultural enthusiasts, the concert offers a chance to celebrate a composer whose transatlantic sensibilities bridged American and European musical traditions during a transformative era in both continents’ cultural histories.
Event Details: “You’re The Top: The Cole Porter Songbook on Film and Live” Saturday, February 14, 7:00 pm Anvil Theatre, New Westminster Featuring Laura Crema Sextet with host Michael van den Bos
For tickets and information, visit the Anvil Theatre box office or visit https://anviltheatre.ca/event/youre-the-top/
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