Rescheduled Symphony Pops concert features Louis Armstrong salute at Luther Burbank Center

Even though the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts survived the October fires, almost a month’s worth of its show schedule was lost, with the center closed from Oct. 9 through Nov. 5. Seven shows were canceled and four were rescheduled. The first of those to rise out of the ashes is Santa Rosa Symphony Pops’ tribute Saturday to Louis Armstrong.

In addition to “What a Wonderful World,” the Armstrong salute, the rescheduled shows include: comedy trio Guerra de Chistes, Jan. 27; Puerto Rico reggaeton artist Yandel, Feb. 2; and iconic ‘60s singer-songwriter Stephen Stills and singer Judy Collins, June 1.

Fire destroyed the center’s east wing, but its main theater building remained intact. The theater resumed its previously planned performance schedule starting Nov. 6, but new dates had to be found for the postponed shows.

“After the fires occurred, we thought the Louis Armstrong show might go ahead, but the damage made it necessary to postpone,” said Michael Berkowitz, conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony Pops Orchestra.

The show stars trumpeter and singer Byron Stripling performing some songs Armstrong made famous, backed by some 65 Symphony Pops musicians, but it’s not a tribute show in the conventional, commercial sense.

“He doesn’t impersonate Louis Armstrong. He sings in his own voice, which may or may not remind you of Louis Armstrong a little bit, but it’s not somebody coming out dressing and acting like Louis Armstrong. It’s not that at all.” Berkowtiz said.

Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971, sometimes nicknamed “Satchmo,” was one of the most influential figures in American jazz, maintaining a strong presence in popular music throughout his a career, and scoring a hit with “What a Wonderful World” as late as 1967.

Although he’s not as famous as Armstrong, Stripling stands on his own as a performer, the conductor explained, and the program features hits from the Armstrong songbook and beyond, including “What a Wonderful World,” “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans,” “Hello Dolly,” and “Basin Street Blues” and event “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In.”

“Byron’s a great trumpet player, and when I lived in New York, I used to use him on any events I played at Carnegie Hall. He was with Count Basie and all manner of great people. It’s worth coming just to see him work,” said Berkowitz, Santa Rosa Symphony Pops conductor for more than a decade.

“We’re thrilled we can still do the show, because Byron is an exciting artist and it’ll be a great concert,” Berkowitz said. “I played with Bryon a year ago in Modesto, and some of the musicians from Santa Rosa were in the orchestra, and came and said to me, ‘We’ve got to get him in Santa Rosa.’”

The concert starts at 3 p.m., preceded by a talk by Berkowitz at 2 p.m.

“I’ve been doing the talks for four or five years,” he said. “I come out with one of the performers and talk about the program. We get some regulars who come and ask questions.”

After this weekend, there are two more shows left in the Symphony Pops series at Luther Burbank Center: “Symphonic Surfin’ Safari” with Papa Doo Run Run, Feb. 18, and “Love, Lust and Rock ‘n’ Roll’ with singer Storm Large of Pink Martini, April 22.

You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at 707-521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @danarts.