Utah Symphony Performs "The Songs of Billy Joel and More" with Michael Cavanaugh

Michael Cavanaugh

Utah Symphony Performs The Songs
of Billy Joel with Michael Cavanaugh

The Utah Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen will be joined by Grammy- and Tony Award-nominated entertainer Michael Cavanaugh to perform The Songs of Billy Joel and More in the opening concerts of the Utah Symphony’s 2012-2013 season Friday, September 7 and Saturday, September 8 at 8 p.m. in Abravanel Hall.

Michael Cavanaugh, who was handpicked by Billy Joel to star in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out, has been called “the new voice of the American Rock and Roll Songbook” by Billboard Magazine. Cavanaugh was nominated for both a Grammy Award and a Tony Award for his role in the musical, which featured Billy Joel’s music.

The Music of Billy Joel and More features Cavanaugh as pianist and vocalist as he performs Rock favorites including “Piano Man,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Uptown Girl,” “Just The Way You Are,” and “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.” The orchestrations performed by the Utah Symphony will add new layers to the music and enhance the memorable tunes.

This will be Michael Cavanaugh’s first appearance with the Utah Symphony. Michael’s numerous symphony performances include invitations from the Boston Pops, Indianapolis Symphony, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony and the Cincinnati Pops.

Tickets for the performances can be purchased by calling (801)355-ARTS (2787), in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office or by visiting www.utahsymphony.org.

About Michael Cavanaugh
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 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.

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”.

With the close of Movin’ Out at the end of 2005, Michael began touring in his own right, creating a show that reinterprets the modern pop/rock songbook. Michael soon became one of the hottest artists in the corporate/events market. He continues to perform worldwide for company and charity events as well as sporting events including the PGA tour, the US Open and the Indy 500. It wasn’t long before symphony orchestras discovered Michael’s talents and audience appeal. He accepted his first orchestral booking, “Michael Cavanaugh - The Songs of Billy Joel and More” which debuted in April of 2008 with the Indianapolis Symphony and continues to tour. In October 2008, he signed with Warner/ADA to distribute his first CD titled “In Color”. In June, 2010, Michael debuted his second symphony show in the "Generations of Rock" series entitled "Michael Cavanaugh: The Songs of Elton John and More" and continues to tour both symphony productions.

Michael Cavanaugh In Concert
The Songs of Billy Joel and More
September 7-8, 2012 | 8 PM
Abravanel Hall
Jerry Steichen, Conductor
Michael Cavanaugh, Piano & Vocals


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