Otwell to join Shoemakes in tribute to Hoagy Carmichael

Master pianist Marshall Otwell will be the special guest at Charlie and Sandi Shoemake’s next house concert, set for 2:30 to 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.

The theme of the performance will be “Stardust,” the songs of Hoagy Carmichael, who composed classic songs with lyricist Johnny Mercer and others.

Carmichael’s popular compositions include not only “Stardust,” but also “Georgia on My Mind,” “Heart and Soul” and “The Nearness of You.”

Vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake and vocalist Sandi Shoemake will be joined by Otwell, who grew up in suburban Toledo, Ohio, and moved to Southern California in the 1970s.

He made his recording debut on vocalist Carmen McRae’s 1976 album “Can’t Hide Love,” and appeared on two other McRae albums on Blue Note Records around the same time.

On McRae’s live album, “At the Great American Music Hall,” he forms a trio with bassist Ed Bennett and drummer Joey Baron. (Dizzy Dillespie also performs trumpet on several tracks.)

Otwell played and recorded with McRae for more than eight years before moving to Boulder Creek, north of Santa Cruz, in 1995.

Sunday’s concert is at 405 Cambridge St. in Cambria. Wine, cheese and snacks will be available.

Reservations for tickets, priced at $20 or $10 for students, may be made by emailing charlie@talsanmusic.com or calling 805-927-0179.

This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 10:29 AM with the headline "Otwell to join Shoemakes in tribute to Hoagy Carmichael."