From My Life and Tiny Dancer to Crocodile Rock and Piano Man the music of Elton John and Billy Joel has rarely been performed with an orchestra—not even by Joel and John in their 70’s heyday. And yet theirs are iconic songs that deserve no less. The Stockton Symphony is proud to present the final Pops concert of the 2014-15 Season, The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John: Piano Men. Joining the Stockton Symphony is pianist/vocalist Joseph Boucher and band, plus guest conductor—and University of Pacific graduate— the much-in-demand Robert Lehmann.
The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John: Piano Men pairs a spot-on vocalist, a talented pop band and a symphonic orchestra performing a range of Top 40 songs each true to their original recordings, but with one important difference: with an orchestra in the house, the performance will boast a lushness rarely heard before a live audience. Not a tribute show, but a heartfelt performance of the original material, guest conductor Robert Lehmann has conducted this program previously; he notes “This is a great, fun show, full of iconic and timeless tunes everybody knows and loves. As a UOP grad and former member of the Stockton Symphony, I can’t wait to return to Stockton, make music with this great orchestra and share this terrific Pops concert with Stockton audiences!” Arrangements for orchestra are provided by Christopher Eastburn, who performs in the band.
The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John: Piano Men will be performed Saturday, May 2, 2015; 8 pm in the Bob Hope Theatre, located at 242 E. Main Street, Stockton. Single tickets are $68.50, $58.50, $48.50, $39.50 & $30.50. Additional fees may apply. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.stocktonlive.com/venues/detail/bob-hope-theatre or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. The concerts are sponsored by Bank of Stockton, Port of Stockton and Tom Cole/Union Bank.
Joe Boucher--the artist who, on piano and with his voice, will emulate two of pop music’s most legendary figures in one evening--has received praise from somebody who ought to know. Liberty DeVitto, drummer for the Billy Joel Band for 30 years, performed this show with Boucher and called it “one of the most passionate performances I have been a part of since actually performing with Billy and Elton. Joe Boucher did an excellent job. Backed by a four-piece rhythm section and a 52-piece orchestra made it an event I was proud to be a part of!”
Robert Lehmann is Music Director of the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra (ME), the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra (MA), the New Hampshire White Mountain Bach Festival (NH), and is in great demand as a conductor, violinist and adjudicator. Robert was in on the The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel show from the very beginning, and was on the podium their first show in Portland, ME.
Now in its 88th year, the Stockton Symphony ranks third among California’s professional orchestras in ongoing performance, behind only the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony. Peter Jaffe, conductor and musical director of the Stockton Symphony, is celebrating his 20th season with the symphony this year.
The program includes the following songs:
ACT I
Prelude/Angry Young Man
Your Song
My Life
Tiny Dancer
Allentown
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Movin’ Out/Anthony’s Song
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
ACT II
The Ballad of Billy the Kid
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Pressure
Rocketman
New York State of Mind
Levon
Only the Good Die Young
Crocodile Rock
Candle in the Wind
Piano Man
“Joe Boucher is the 21st-century piano man. This show masterfully blends the hits of Billy Joel and Elton John with the sophistication and energy of a full orchestra. You must not miss the opportunity to experience Piano Men!”
WFMT-FM, Chicago
“Piano Men would make Elton and Billy smile from ear to ear!”
Rock 107 FM