Last minute White Album Ensemble gig to feature landmark Beatles' record, strings, brass and American Idol finalist.

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh once claimed that Sgt. Pepper is one of those albums that you will always remember where you were and what you were doing the first time you heard it.

The Beatles' monumental 1967 record will forever be regarded as a huge leap forward for rock and roll, in terms of experimentation.

The Fab Four used its soundboard as another instrument; they employed string orchestras and played backwards sound loops. It all came together like some beautifully calculated accident, with "A Day in the Life" as the cherry on top.

This Saturday, Sept. 6, at 8pm, Santa Cruz's beloved White Album Ensemble is recreating The Beatles' gamechanger in its entirety at the Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts (250 E. Beach St., in Watsonville).

The show's theme, WAE With Strings Attached, is also set to include other string-centric tunes like "Magical Mystery Tour", "Strawberry Fields Forever" and even a few songs by individual Beatles.   

The WAE's regular core members will be joined by Barry Phillips String Octet, including members of the Redwood Symphony and the Santa Cruz Symphony.

There's more...

The big brass accompaniment will be delivered by Mind Over MatterHorns, featuring Roger Eddy, Steve Wilson and Nick Bianchini.

Pleasure Point Horns brings Dan Young, John Hensley and clarinetist Bill Nestler.  

Lastly, Santa Cruz's James Durbin, of American Idol  fame, will sit in on a couple songs.