By JOHN BURNETT
By JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Cherilynn Morrow refers to herself as an “astronomy chanteuse.”
The Georgia State University physics and astronomy professor, who’s also a jazz singer, will perform her unique multimedia show “AstroJazz” Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii Planetarium in Hilo.
“It integrates live music with jazz music and astronomical imagery and some information on (astronomical events) and what’s going on in research,” Morrow said Thursday. “I try to combine my scientific training and my music training and my love of both to come up with something that comes in on a little bit different wavelength.”
She’ll be backed by four Big Island musicians: Mark Mallory on keyboards; Bill Noble on saxophone and flute; Frank Musacchio on bass; and Doug Johnson on percussion.
Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 ‘Imiloa members and $6 patron members. Silver and gold members will be admitted free. Seating is limited to 120. Call 969-9703 for tickets or more information.
“This particular performance is focused on Venus and the transit of Venus (across the face of the Sun), which will be happening June 5 and which will be webcast by NASA from Mauna Kea,” she said. “So the idea of this program on Saturday is to help foreshadow that event.”
The Venus transit, also called “Sun-Earth Day” will be webcast at 11:45 a.m. Hawaii time on Tuesday. It’s a historical rarity, as the next time Venus traverses the face of the Sun will not happen until 2117.
Morrow has two special original compositions for the event. She also morphs lyrics of jazz standards to fit astronomical phenomena.
“We’re in a period of high solar activity with sunspots and solar flares so I’m singing ‘Stormy Weather,’” she said. “But I’ve altered the lyrics to make it ‘Stormy Weather’ solar style because of solar activity and solar storms.”
With Morrow’s scientific knowledge, hers and her backing quartet’s musical ability and ‘Imiloa’s state-of-the-art planetarium, AstroJazz promises to be a presentation that’s on the cutting edge of edutainment with stunning astronomical imagery, audience interaction and a cosmic sense of humor.
“What we hope is that we’re going to take advantage of their all-digital dome … for a meaningful and memorable experience,” she said.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.