While playing in a rock ’n’ roll band in the ‘60s, Ken Hartfield would often ponder about orchestral arrangements.
With a foot in both worlds, Hartfield’s visions of rock songs joined with the grandiose power of orchestral string and brass sections have come to fruition, and are heading to Penticton in the form of a 22-piece symphonic rock orchestra entitled Bandidos Cerveza Rides Again.
Hartfield, musical director of Bandidos, worked as an arranger and session musician in a career spanning decades and crossing paths with the likes of Tom Jones, Rich Little, Tanya Tucker and Bobby Vinton.
He started using his skills and experience creating professional, full orchestral arrangements and applying them to popular rock songs like Riders on the Storm.
“What I do is I keep the song intact so that the hooks and the main theme is there and just add counter melodies to it and a lot of times incorporating the string and brass section and percussion section and the results have been amazing,” Hartfield said.
It took about a year and a half for him to arrange the music for strings, brass, percussion and six vocalists, a process that is more expensive than the average concertgoer might think.
“If you wanted to hire an arranger to do that, you’re looking at $200,000, just the arranging aspect,” Hartfield said.
Hartfield said the response to his orchestral experiment has been enthusiastic, adding the power of strings and brass, with six vocalists, to the familiarity of rock ’n’ roll.
“It’s a very powerful sound, a very big sound. Because of the new technology and mics and everything, it sounds like a 60-piece orchestra with a rock band,” Hartfield said.
The concert takes on popular classic rock tunes from legendary rock bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, not a very big leap according to Hartfield, who noted many of their works have roots in classical arrangements.
“These three guys on stage, with Led Zeppelin, are trained musicians. John Paul Jones (Zeppelin bass player) is a classically trained musician. Technically their heavy rock and roll is symphonic,” said Hartfield.
“That’s what they were back then. Not a lot of people recognize it, I do after playing both, but it’s amazing the amount of music that comes out of three guys.”
Hartfield said people can walk away with a greater appreciation for classical composition after the show.
“I think what it does is educate a lot of people that, well a rock band and an orchestra can sound good together. It has the classical element, but at the same time it has the heavy rock drive.”
The orchestra picks up musicians from across Canada for each show, prior musical acquaintances of Hartfield.
The show doesn’t take on a Spanish theme despite the name. Bandidos Cerveza Rides Again does have some origin in Hartfield’s affection of Latin rhythm.
“I wanted a name that was fun and Bandidos has the word band in it, it’s kind of bad and it has beer. We wanted something a little off the wall,” Hartfield said. “I actually thought of the name when I was in Mexico.”
Bandidos Cerveza Rides Again comes to the Cleland theatre Feb. 25. Tickets are $55 including taxes and are available online at bandidoscerveza.com or at the Shatford Centre at 250-770-7668.