April 20, 2022

Enrich your lunch break with the talented stylings of local musicians during Music Sandwiched In, noon-12:50 p.m., in Central Library’s Aaronson Auditorium. Stories come alive through music every other Monday in June and July, starting June 13.

   Music Sandwiched In is one of many family events offered as part of the Summer Reading Program for children, teens and adults. The programs are free and open to the public. This year’s featured performances are:

  • June 13, Jazz Pianist Don Ryan. Come and hear Don Ryan, one of Tulsa's most popular musicians, open up our beloved biweekly summer music series! Best known as a jazz pianist, Ryan actually started out in classical music and was an award winner in The Chopin Competition in Poland. For several years, he was the pianist with the Tulsa Philharmonic. He also performed at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, The Performing Arts Center, The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and on just about every performing arts series in the area.
  • June 27, Connie Cronley and Anna Norberg. Close your eyes and experience "Flights of Fancy," a lyrical blending of poetry and piano that will transport you to luxuriant destinations. Native Oklahoman, writer, cellist, and radio and TV commentator Connie Cronley will team up with renowned classical pianist Anna Norberg for a time of whimsical words paired to music. Attend a marvelous party, dance in the skies on laughter-silvered wings and take to the sea in a pea-green boat — all without ever leaving your chair.  
  • July 11, David Carter and Ricardo Coelho de Souza. Tulsa Symphony principal clarinetist David Carter and Brazilian percussionist Ricardo Coelho de Souza will perform popular classics, Brazilian choro and a bit of experimental music. Together, Carter and de Souza will explore the diverse sounds of the clarinet and percussion instruments like the marimba and the vibraphone. Their unique merging of traditional classical elements with Latin musical style makes for a vibrant and colorful musical treat.  
  • July 25, Shelby Eicher and Tommy Crook. Come and hear National Fiddler Hall of Fame member Shelby Eicher as he teams up with local Tulsa guitar legend Tommy Crook for a mix of jazzy, bluegrassy fun. As a member of Roy Clark's band for 15 years, Eicher recorded five albums with Clark and appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show, Hee Haw, Grand Ole Opry, Merv Griffin Show and many others. He is also a member of the Tulsa Symphony Education Committee. Accompanist Tommy Crook has played the guitar for over 35 years, and his talent and richly rooted Americana sound have been championed by the likes of such fingerstyle guitar giants as Chet Atkins and Tuck Andress. 

   The Music Sandwiched In program is made possible by funding from the Tulsa Library Trust.

   For more information on library programs and services, call 918-549-7323 or visit www.tulsalibrary.org.

Anna Norberg (left), Connie Cronley (right)

Pictured above are Anna Norberg (left) and Connie Cronley (right).

Don Ryan

Pictured above is jazz pianist Don Ryan.