If you saw the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts' performance of
“PCPA's Beauty and the Beast,” you remember James
Anest, the actor who played Gaston, whose bulging muscles matched his big voice
in a part that seemed to come almost too naturally to the actor.
Thankfully, Anest is not the arrogant grunt that Gaston is, but rather, an
exceedingly accomplished, though very modest, vocalist leading a extraordinarily busy life.
With a background heavy in musical theater and opera, Anest, whose home is in
The idea to record “My November Guest” was conceived a year ago, said Anest,
but its components have been in the works for more than ten
years.
In the mid-1990s, Anest and composer Dr. Jon Naples began working together on
original compositions by
The two completed 10 to 12 songs - all of which used poetry by renowned poets
for lyrics - and performed the collection before a few small audiences, mostly
to judge their reaction, before the project got shelved.
Eight years later, Anest, haunted by the unfinished project, contacted
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In addition to writing the music,
The songs delve into the realm of relationships, explained Anest, and while
the language is sophisticated, “the music sets it in a way that you feel it and
you hear it,” said Anest.
According to Anest, the result is a cross-section of sounds, from romantic to
modern, with a melody that's emphasized by the piano, which he sees as a viable
medium for bringing the poetry to life.
“Its simplicity brings it to the
fore in terms of a recording that should get attention,” said Anest. “I wanted
to bring the text to the front,” he added.
Although the album is
classically oriented, it won't really look that way, said Anest. “These are
raw,” he added. “I just pretty much do it. Most of the songs are in one
take.”
“My November Guest” is scheduled for release in early April. Anest
said he plans to offer it first through his Web site, www.jamesanest.com,
and it will be more widely available later through the album's producer,
Anteater Recording.
The album is Anest's
second. His first, “Calvary
Street” is a religious album that he calls an “experimental project,” that
was released 18 months ago. While it's done well, that album was not meant for
mainstream distribution the way “My November Guest” is. “Most of my stuff is
more underground, more artsy,” said Anest.
In addition to acting and
recording, Anest owns a corporate entertainment company and is part of a group
of singing waiters that perform at
high-end corporate events around the world.
He has also been chosen to be
a member of an as-yet-unnamed group of four men from four countries - the
“It's been busy,” said Anest modestly. “Things
have been really good.”
See him as Gaston
Locals will
recognize James Anest from his performance as the arrogant, yet somehow charming
Gaston in the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Art's production of “Beauty
and the Beast.”
“Playing Gaston vocally is great. The part is tailor-made
for my voice,” said Anest, who played the part in a
“He's an extension of who I am,” he said, quickly clarifying he's
not an egocentric chauvinist, like Gaston, qualities that are highlighted in the
character's hilarious performance of “Me.” He is however, known to act silly
from time to time, especially with his 4-year-old daughter, he
said.
Anest added that PCPA director Mark Booher allowed him extensive creativity with the part. “I
was really fortunate to work with him,” said Anest.