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The Tucson Pops Orchestra Presents: "Autumn Serenade" with guest artist Tommy Gearhart
The Tucson Pops Orchestra Presents: "Autumn Serenade" with guest artist Tommy Gearhart
Sunday, September 10, 2023 (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM) (MST)
Description
THE TUCSON POPS PRESENTS: "AUTUMN SERENADE" WITH GUEST ARTIST TOMMY GEARHART
The Tucson Pops Orchestra, under musical leadership of Maestro Khris Dodge, is delighted to open our Fall 2023 concert series, on September 10th at 7 PM at DeMeesters Performing Arts Center in Reid Park.
This concert will include crooner, Tommy Gearhart, who has been singing on stages around the country for years. Imagine a mix of the late, great Tony Bennett with a little bit of Neil Sedaka for good measure. Songs from the “Great American Songbook” will delight you including “Our Love is Here to Stay”, “S-Wonderful”;, “But Not For Me”, “Going to Chicago”, “Take the A-Train”; and many more.
A sensitive yet powerful jazz vocalist who loves to sing ballads, Tommy Gearhart has developed his own sound as he explores the Great American Songbook and jazz standards. “I grew up hearing those songs. My grandmother and her sisters used to sing on the radio as the Thomas Sisters. My grandfather was a crooner who had worked with big bands in the Midwest, knew a lot of tunes, and could also play ragtime piano. The music is in my blood.” Born in Toledo, Ohio, Tommy Gearhart spent much of his childhood there and in Detroit.
Blessed with a warm baritone voice and influenced by his early jazz drumming background, he developed quickly as a vocalist. His mentor was Jon Hendricks, who was also from Toledo and with whom he worked on multiple occasions. The young vocalist was also inspired by the swing of Tony Bennett & Frank Sinatra, the joy of Joe Willians, the musicianship and artistry of Jon Hendricks & Mel Tormé, and the many jazz instrumentalists he had heard growing up. He listened to everyone, did a great deal of study, and emerged with his own highly appealing voice.
Tommy Gearhart has since performed at many jazz venues and festivals around the U.S. and Canada. In addition to Jon Hendricks, he has also worked with Detroit tenor-saxophonist Donald Walden (whom dubbed Tommy a “true balladeer”), trumpeter-educators Bobby Shew & Marcus Belgrave, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and many more.
This concert is open to the public. Donations are highly appreciated.
900 S. Randolph Way
Tucson, AZ 85716 United States
Arts & Culture