The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents The Piano Men starring Jim Witter on Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 22 at 3 p.m. at the Robinson Center Music Hall. This concert is the final concert in the 2010-2011 ACXIOM Pops Live! Series and is sponsored in part by Windstream and JPMS Cox.
Associate Conductor Geoffrey Robson conducts this concert with the ASO and Jim Witter performing the toe-tapping super hits of Billy Joel and Elton John.
Kids kindergarten through 12th grade can attend our Sunday matinee performances for free (with the purchase of an adult ticket) using the Entergy Kids Ticket – available for download at www.ArkansasSymphony.org. Adult single tickets range from $65-$20 and can be purchased online at www.ArkansasSymphony.org or over the phone at (501) 666-1761. Student and military tickets are $10.
Program Details
THE PIANO MEN STARRING JIM WITTER
Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 22 at 3 p.m.
Robinson Center Music Hall
Featuring
Geoffrey Robson, associate conductor
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Jim Witter, singer and piano
Program:
Elton John Your Song
Billy Joel Movin’ Out
Elton John Rocket Man
Billy Joel My Life
Billy Joel Just The Way You Are
Elton John Daniel
Elton John Crocodile Rock
Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
INTERMISSION
Billy Joel Don’t Ask Me Why
Elton John Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Elton John Candle In The Wind
Billy Joel Honesty
Elton John Philadelphia Freedom
Billy Joel Piano Man
Jim Witter, singer and piano
Whether it be his country music, contemporary Christian, or the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, Jim’s versatility as an artist has allowed him the opportunity to reach out and share his music and his infectious personality with audiences of all ages across Canada and the United States. His unique approach and comfortable rapport makes each member of his audience feel as though they are a part of a private concert in the comfort of their own living room. This, along with his rich, powerful voice and ease of manner at the piano, make him a favorite with theatre goers everywhere.
It all started at a very early age, as Jim began performing in the comfort of his own living room. His Mother would play piano, and Jim would belt out the hits, everything from the Beatle’s to Broadway musicals. Not bad for a four year old! All through his school years, Jim knew that he was destined to have a career in the music business. “I never really thought of doing anything else”, he says, “and neither did my parents because they always encouraged me to follow my dream”.
And follow it he did. Jim paid his dues, playing in the clubs and bars around Southern Ontario for years. He would write songs and record demos during the day, and play in the clubs at night to pay the bills. Jim met his wife Rebecca in 1985. Together, they worked tirelessly to promote Jim’s talent and music in hopes that one day their efforts would be recognized. Finally in 1990, one of Jim’s demos came to the attention of a Sony Music Canada executive, which really got Jim’s recording career rolling. A record deal with a smaller independent label in Canada, soon gave way to a multi-record deal with Curb Records of Nashville, home of Tim McGraw, Leanne Rimes and Wynonna Judd. From his first self titled record, to “All My Life” and “Forgiveness”, Jim has had 10 top ten radio hits in Canada, 7 hit videos on CMT, and impressive chart action in the U.S. on Billboard and R&R.
Jim’s music and songwriting have been recognized on both sides of the border, earning him multiple awards and nominations from the Canadian Country Music Association, the Juno Awards, and most recently the Dove Awards in Nashville, where Jim’s album “Forgiveness” was nominated for Inspirational Album of the year. “Songwriting has always been a real love of mine”, says Jim. “I feel very fortunate to have been able to work with so many incredible song-writers over the past years, like Steve Wariner for instance. Not only have the collaborations produced songs that I am very proud of, but I have gained an invaluable education and created lifelong friendships along the way.”
A few years ago, Jim came up with the concept for the show “The Piano Men”; a musical journey through the 70’s featuring the songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. “I was always a big fan of acoustic music-especially the folk of the ‘70s: James Taylor, Harry Chapin,” he reveals, “but my real mentors were Billy Joel and Elton John.” This multi-media rock musical has turned out to be a hit, receiving rave reviews from music critics all across North America. There are even plans to take the show overseas to London and Japan in the near future.
Jim still lives in Southern Ontario with his wife, Rebecca, and their four children, James, Roslyn, Ryan and Luke. A devoted family man, Jim is also very active in his community, supporting numerous charities and organizations, especially those which benefit children and their families. “All I’ve ever wanted from this business is to be able to support my family and to make people feel a little better when they hear my music. To help them forget about their troubles for a while and enjoy the moment”, he concludes. “If I can continue doing this 5, 10, 15 years down the road, I’ll be perfectly happy.”
Geoffrey Robson, Associate Conductor
Geoffrey Robson is in his second season as Associate Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as violinist in the ASO’s Sturgis string quartet, participating in a state-wide program of arts education for schoolchildren, and writes and produces At the Symphony, a concert preview radio series on KLRE 90.5 in Little Rock. He also directs the ASO’s children’s concert series and regularly conducts subscription series.
Geoffrey completed his MM at Yale University in 2004, studying violin performance with Erick Friedman. Since then he has freelanced busily in Connecticut and New York City as a violinist and violist. This includes serving as co-concertmaster of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, and assistant concertmaster of the Waterbury Symphony. Geoffrey has also worked as a public schoolteacher in New Haven, CT, and has taught violin, piano, viola, and music theory extensively as a private teacher.
In 2006, he was involved as a founding member and conductor of the Chelsea Symphony, a bold experiment in the structuring of an arts organization, based in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Since the fall of 2007, Geoffrey has been studying orchestral conducting at the Mannes College of Music in New York under the tutelage of David Hayes. He has twice attended the London Conducting Workshop, an annual course at the Royal College of Music in London, and has guest-led several chamber orchestras in the New York area.
Geoffrey graduated from the honors college at Michigan State University in 2002.
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 45th season in 2010-2011 under the leadership of Music Director Philip Mann. ASO is the resident orchestra of Robinson Center Music Hall, and performs more than thirty concerts each year through its Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks Series, ACXIOM Pops LIVE! Series and River Rhapsodies Chamber Series, in addition to serving central Arkansas through numerous community outreach programs and bringing live symphonic music education to over 24,000 school children and over 200 schools.
