The Music of Billy Joel and More
Saturday, January 28, 2012   2:00 PM • 8:00 PM
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre

Dirk Meyer, conductor • Michael Cavanaugh, piano/vocals

The Michael Cavanaugh Band
Johnny Fedevich, Drums • Jamie Hosmer,  Keyboards
Giovanno Mastro, Guitar • Billy Venditti, Bass
John Scarpulla, Saxophone

Orlando Philharmonic Rocks with a Tribute to Billy Joel

On Saturday, January 28, the Orlando Philharmonic will rock the house in a tribute to the Piano Man, Billy Joel.  The program, The Music of Billy Joel and More, features the musicians of the Orlando Philharmonic, singer Michael Cavanaugh and conductor Dirk Meyer. Two performances, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., are presented at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, located at 401 W. Livingston Street, Orlando.

“The New Voice of the American Rock and Roll Songbook” – Billboard Magazine

 Michael Cavanaugh is the New Voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook. A charismatic performer, musician and actor, made famous for his piano/lead vocals in the Broadway Musical Movin’ Out, Michael Cavanaugh was handpicked by Billy Joel to star in the title role and evokes a style rivaling the Piano Man. Michael appeared in the show for 3 years and over 1200 performances, receiving accolade after accolade, which culminated in 2003 with both Grammy and Tony award nominations.

“The Amazing Michael Cavanaugh” – The New York Times

 Michael began playing at age 7, when his parents bought their first piano.  Encouraged by family and friends, and inspired by his hero Billy Joel, Michael 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, Florida at a piano bar called Blazing Pianos. In January of 1999, Michael received an offer that would unknowingly change his life, with an opportunity to play Las Vegas at the famed “New York, New York Hotel and Casino.” It was there that Billy Joel spotted Michael and joined him on stage one fateful night of February 2001.  It only took 2 songs before Billy was convinced that he had found his new “Piano Man,” Michael Cavanaugh. Michael closed up shop at New York, New York and moved to New York City to work alongside Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp, to shape the Broadway Musical that would be called Movin’ Out.

Since the closing of Movin’ Out at the end of 2005, Michael has been touring the world. In 2008, he signed with Warner/ADA to distribute his first CD titled “In Color.”  The Philharmonic’s concert will showcase Michael as he sings and plays the piano on hits like Movin’ Out, She’s Got a Way, and Just the Way You Are.

Dirk Meyer returns to the Philharmonic stage to conduct this pops concert, his second concert in the 2011-12 Super Series. In October, he conducted Night at the Oscars. In addition, he served as the conductor for the Philharmonic’s 26 “Young People’s Concerts” earlier in the fall, attended by  60,000 school children.

German born Meyer was appointed Associate Conductor of the Sarasota Orchestra in 2011, after five successful seasons as Assistant Conductor, during which time he earned an outstanding reputation with musicians, audiences and critics, alike. He also served as Music Director of the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, whose first season under his baton culminated in a 2008 Carnegie Hall performance in New York City.

Tickets to The Music of Billy Joel and More are priced from $14.75 to $70. Call the Orlando Philharmonic Box Office at (407) 770-0071 to order tickets or order here at either the Purchase  2PM or 8 PM button.