Marty Isenberg’s Wes Anderson Playlist

||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER |||

Orcas Center and the Orcas Island Jazz Festival present acclaimed music curator and long-time film enthusiast Marty Isenberg March 22, with his carefully curated set honoring the visionary filmmaking of Wes Anderson. The “Wes Anderson Playlist, An Interpretation in Jazz,” will feature a unique selection of songs that reflect the iconic soundscapes from Anderson’s beloved films.

Known for his visually stunning films and meticulously crafted worlds, Wes Anderson’s cinematic universe is also deeply enriched by his eclectic and carefully chosen soundtracks. From the whimsical, orchestral tones of The Royal Tenenbaums to the folk melodies of Moonrise Kingdom, Anderson’s films are as much about the music as they are about the story.

Marty Isenberg, with his deep knowledge of film music and its cultural impact, has put together a jazz-inspired playlist that not only celebrates Anderson’s sonic aesthetic but also serves as a tribute to his ability to marry music and visual artistry in unforgettable ways.

“I’ve always resonated deeply with Wes Anderson’s movies,” muses Isenberg. “There was something so familiar about the way he captured the ache of adolescence.” He appreciated how Anderson’s cinematic language always seemed to juxtapose our local vastness with our cosmic tininess.

Of course, Isenberg loved the off-kilter mixtape quality of the soundtracks and how perfectly they mirrored the plot lines. So, he set out to put his own spin on songs by artists like David Bowie, and the Velvet Underground but through the lexicon of jazz orchestration and improvisation. The resulting album is a sonic storyboard, a soundtrack to the wonder, loneliness,
and nostalgia of life in the modern world. Downbeat Magazine’s glowing review says “Movies for your ears are somewhat cliched, but Isenberg has gone way beyond that. This is a movie.”

Fans of both Wes Anderson’s films and Marty Isenberg’s past music collections can expect a journey through iconic tracks that evoke the charm, whimsy, and emotional depth that Anderson’s films are known for.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.OrcasCenter.org, over the phone at 360-376-2281 x100, or in-person Tuesday – Thursday 11am-2pm, and an hour prior to showtime. Ticket prices range from $23-$68 with a $2 per ticket fee. There are six $10 tickets available for this performance subsidized by our generous donors – These are available on a first-come/first serve basis by contacting the Box Office.

And don’t forget, volunteers who help with iPad check-in get to see the show for free!