Michael Cavanaugh presents the music of Billy Joel at Bass Performance Hall

by PegNews wire

FORT WORTH — Broadway sensation Michael Cavanaugh, hand-picked by Billy Joel to star in the musical Movin’ Out, joins the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for three concerts October 16 -18. These shows will feature Cavanaugh’s dynamic interpretations of Joel’s greatest hits, colorful behind-the-scenes anecdotes about working with Joel, favorite hits from other artists, and more.

The concerts start at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Bass Performance Hall. Find more information about tickets here.

Cavanaugh appeared as the Piano Man in more than 1,200 performances of Movin’ Out over three years, receiving accolade after accolade, and earning both Grammy and Tony award nominations.

He began playing the piano at age seven. Encouraged by family and friends, and inspired by his hero Billy Joel, he formed his first band at age 10 and began playing local functions, fine-tuning the craft that would become his chosen career. His first full-time gig as a musician was an extended engagement in Orlando, at a bar called Blazing Pianos. In 1999, he received an offer that ultimately changed his life: an opportunity to perform at the famed New York, New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. That’s where Joel spotted Cavanaugh and joined him on stage one fateful night in 2001. It only took two songs for Joel to become convinced he had found his new Piano Man. Cavanaugh moved to New York to work alongside Joel and Twyla Tharp to shape the Broadway musical Movin’ Out.

After Movin’ Out closed at the end of 2005, Cavanaugh began recording and touring in his own right and has now evolved into one of the hottest artists on the circuit. He made his orchestral debut with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 2008. Other recent and upcoming performances include those with the orchestras of Detroit, Baltimore, Buffalo, Milwaukee, Edmonton, Omaha, Rochester, and Pittsburgh, as well as the National Arts Centre Orchestra and a sold-out performance with the Boston Pops. He has also performed for Microsoft and GE, the U.S. Open, Indy 500, and numerous NBA and PGA tournaments. In October 2008, he signed with Warner/ADA to distribute his first CD, In Color.

Conductor Steven Reineke begins his tenure as music director of the New York Pops in October, succeeding the legendary Skitch Henderson. During the 2009-2010 season, he will also begin his tenure as principal pops conductor of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and embark on his second season as principal pops conductor of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. He is also the associate conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, where for 13 years he has served as a composer, arranger and conducting protégé of the celebrated pops conductor Erich Kunzel.

Reineke’s recent guest conducting appearances include those with the orchestras of Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Edmonton. In 2009, he makes his Boston Pops Orchestra debut. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2008 conducting the New York Pops 25th Birthday Gala. In addition, Reineke conducted, arranged and orchestrated the music for entertainer Wayne Brady’s orchestral show and played the same role in his collaboration with rock legend Peter Frampton.

As creator of more than 100 orchestral arrangements for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Reineke’s arrangements have been performed worldwide, and can be heard on numerous Cincinnati Pops Orchestra recordings. An established symphonic composer, his works Celebration Fanfare, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Casey at the Bat are performed frequently in North America. His numerous wind ensemble compositions are published by the C.L. Barnhouse Company and are performed by concert bands around the world.

These concerts are made possible by season sponsors American Airlines, Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Renaissance Worthington Hotel, and Star-Telegram. Promotional support is provided by Star-Telegram and WRR Classical 101.1 FM.

Source: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra