Sounds of Sinatra ignite hot pops season

COURTESY PHOTO Tito Puente Jr. - Mambo Nights The Southwest Florida Symphony 2007/08 Pops Season kicks off Nov. 30 with A Red Hot Pops Cocktail Party & Fundraiser and The Sinatra Songbook, conducted by the incomparable 'Prince of Pops' Erich Kunzel.

A new spirit is in the air as the Symphony brings vibrant music, exciting personalities and new life to the stage for our 47th Season. "This is an exciting season as we welcome such greats as Erich Kunzel and the Latinflavored sounds of Tito Puente Jr.," explains Hall.

Hall, 37, was named Music Director earlier this year and brings a new energy to the Symphony. Previously Associate Conductor with the Orange County Symphony in southern California, he favors a lively repertoire - "one that will reach out to new, untapped audiences, yet appeal to our loyal patrons."

A huge hit last year, the magnetic and energetic Kunzel, propelled the Cincinnati Pops to international recognition and placed 'orchestral pops' mainstream. Two of his favorite programs are featured this season. The Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 concert will spotlight music from everyone's favorite crooner - Sinatra. The Jan. 13 and 14 performances feature the music of Broadway today including Rent, Mamma Mia, Hairspray and more. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his professional conducting debut, Kunzel is a regular conductor with orchestras around the globe.

COURTESY PHOTO Joseph Caulkins, Associate Conductor Everybody's favorite holiday tradition - A Very Merry Pops - takes place December 22 and 23. "An eclectic mix of traditional favorites and new pieces keep this holiday tradition exciting and fun," explains Joseph Caulkins, Associate Conductor. "It is never stale or predictable and I think the audience enjoys that as much as the musicians do!"

The son of legendary 'King of Mambo' Tito Puente, Puente Jr., brings to the stage the eclectic, Latin-influenced sounds of his famous father March 7 and 8. "There was magic in the music my father made. It made people happy," Puente Jr. says. "My goal is to keep it alive … and expose it to a whole new generation." Appearing across the country, Puente Jr. crosses cultural and generational lines producing a high-voltage performance that leaves audiences raving for more.

COURTESY PHOTO Vocalist Tommy O - A Very Merry Pops The Pops Series concerts are held at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. Subscriber series and single tickets are on sale now. To order tickets, call the Symphony Box Office Mon. - Fri., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at 418-1500. ¦ Pop Series

The Sinatra Songbook

Friday, Nov. 30/Saturday Dec. 1, 8 pm Special guest vocalist Jefferey Berger Conducted by Erich Kunzel Mann Hall, Tickets are $15 - $50, 418-1500 Also: Opening Pops Weekend A Red Hot Pops: Cocktail Party & Fundraiser

Dec. 1, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Judd Pavilion,

Mann Hall, $50

A Very Merry Pops

Saturday, Dec. 22, 8 pm/Sunday, Dec. 23, 7 pm Special Guest vocalist Tommy O Conducted by Joseph Caulkins,

Associate Conductor

Mann Hall, Tickets are $15 - $50

Broadway Today

Fri., Jan. 18 and Sat., Jan. 19, 8 pm Special guests Kirsten Bracken, Mark Willett and Steve Mazurek

Conducted by Erich Kunzel

Mann Hall, Tickets are $15 - $50

Tito Puente, Jr. - Mambo Nights

Fri., March 7 and Sat., March 8, 8 pm Conducted by Michael Hall, Music Director Mann Hall, Tickets are $15 - $50 To order tickets, call the Symphony Box Office

Mon.- Fri., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at 418-1500.