—PERSPECTIVES: JAMES TAYLOR—
SINGER/SONGWRITER JAMES TAYLOR HOSTS FOUR-CONCERT PERSPECTIVES
SERIES AT CARNEGIE HALL IN APRIL AND MAY
Perspectives Kicks Off on April 12 with 120th Anniversary Gala Honoring Twelve Decades
of Music and Events at Carnegie Hall with Special Guests: Barbara Cook, Steve Martin,
Bette Midler, Kevin Pollak, Dianne Reeves, Sting, and More
Taylor Is Joined by Robert Cray, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Danny Kortchmar,
and Alison Krauss for April 20 Roots Concert Paying Tribute to His Musical Influences
Guitar Conversations on May 6 Features Taylor in Performance and Conversation with
Guitarist Michael Landau and Dobro-Player Jerry Douglas
Series Culminates on May 9 with Quintessential James Taylor and His Band
In April and May 2011, singer/songwriter James Taylor presents a highly personal four-event Perspectives series at Carnegie Hall—a residency that will celebrate the songs that have made him an American icon, reveal his breadth as a musician, and shed light on the many styles that have influenced his evolution as an artist. Taylor’s Perspectives kicks off on April 12 when he hosts and performs in James Taylor at Carnegie Hall—a special gala concert celebrating 120 years of Carnegie Hall’s storied history. The series continues on April 20 with James Taylor: Roots focusing on his early musical influences, including bluegrass, blues, and church hymns. On May 6, Taylor offers James Taylor: Guitar Conversations—an intimate evening of music and conversation in Zankel Hall that delves into the versatility of the guitar, performed alongside premier artists of the genre. His Perspectives series concludes on May 9 in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage when he is joined by his legendary band to perform his greatest hits in Quintessential James Taylor and His Band.
April 12: James Taylor at Carnegie Hall: A Gala Celebrating 120 Years of Carnegie Hall
On Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, renowned singer/songwriter James Taylor kicks off his four-concert Perspectives series by hosting a one-night-only all-star gala event in celebration of Carnegie Hall’s 120th anniversary year. This festive evening pays tribute to Carnegie Hall’s history, highlighting many of the extraordinary musical and cultural events that have taken place on the Hall’s legendary stages over the past twelve decades. The James Taylor gala event—benefiting Carnegie Hall’s music education programs—includes the option of attending an exclusive party at either Carnegie Hall or The Museum of Modern Art. Featured special guests include: Barbara Cook, Steve Martin, Bette Midler, Kevin Pollak, Dianne Reeves, Sting, Members of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and the Young People's Chorus of New York City. (Pictured above from L to R: Barbara Cook, Steve Martin, Bette Midler, Sting, Dianne Reeves, and Kevin Pollak) April 20: James Taylor: Roots
James Taylor’s Perspectives series continues on Wednesday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage with a program that highlights the myriad influences—ranging from bluegrass and blues to church hymns—that have shaped his music over the years. A star-studded line up of special guests join Taylor for this performance, including: contemporary Christian singer Amy Grant; country singer Vince Gill, bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, blues singer/guitarist Robert Cray; dobro-player and resonate-guitarist Jerry Douglas; and guitarist Danny Kortchmar. Band members include: Luis Conte (percussion); Larry Goldings (keyboards); Jimmy Johnson (bass); Michael Landau (electric guitars); Kate Markowitz and Arnold McCuller (vocals); Chad Wackerman (drums); and Andrea Zonn (vocals/ fiddle). (Pictured above from L to R: Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Robert Cray, Jerry Douglas, Amy Grant, and Danny Kortchmar) May 6: James Taylor: Guitar Conversations
On Friday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m., James Taylor invites two of his friends to join him on Zankel Hall’s stage for a rare evening of conversation and performance devoted to popular music’s instrument of choice—the guitar. Performing alongside Taylor are dobro-player and resonate-guitarist Jerry Douglas and guitarist Michael Landau. In addition to twelve solo recordings, Jerry Douglas has performed on more than 1,600 albums including sideman recordings with Ray Charles, Phish, Dolly Parton, Paul Simon, Ricky Skaggs, Elvis Costello, and Johnny Mathis, among others. He is a member of Alison Krauss’s Union Station band, and tours extensively in support of a series of platinum-selling albums. Landau, a prolific session musician and guitarist, has recorded with artists ranging from Seal, Helen Watson, and Richard Marx to Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, and James Taylor. In addition to his session work, Landau has also fronted several bands including Raging Honkies and Burning Water.
May 9: Quintessential James Taylor and His Band
James Taylor’s Perspectives concert series concludes on Monday, May 9 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage with a performance by Taylor and his legendary band. In this program of greatest hits, including songs such as "Fire and Rain," "Something in The Way She Moves," "Carolina In My Mind," and "Sweet Baby James," Taylor and his band perform the songs that earned him the title of the quintessential singer/songwriter, and illustrate Taylor’s profound influence on songwriter/songwriters and music lovers of all generations. Band members include: Luis Conte (percussion); Walt Fowler (horns, additional keyboard); Larry Goldings (keyboards); Jimmy Johnson (bass); Michael Landau (electric guitars); David Lasley, Kate Markowitz, and Arnold McCuller (vocals); Lou Marini (horns); Chad Wackerman (drums); and Andrea Zonn (vocals/fiddle).
About the Artist
Shortly after James Taylor’s 1970 Carnegie Hall debut at age 22, TIME magazine observed that his artistry reached “a level both of intimacy and controlled emotion rarely achieved in purely pop music.” The connection he made to listeners was indelible, and his hits became a soundtrack to the American experience. Over the course of his long career, Taylor has earned 40 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards; five Grammy Awards; and the 1998 Century Award, Billboard magazine’s highest accolade. He has been inducted into both the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has sold some 40 million albums. Taylor’s warm baritone is among the most recognized voices in popular music and his guitar playing has established its own standard. His music embodies the art of songwriting in its most fundamental form, with his songs having had a profound influence on both songwriters and music lovers of all generations and from all walks of life. As a recording and touring artist, he has set a high bar to which countless musicians continue to aspire.
Carnegie Hall’s Perspectives
Now in its 12th season, Carnegie Hall’s Perspectives is an artistic initiative in which select musicians are invited to explore their own musical individuality, creating their own personal concert series through collaborations with other musicians and ensembles. Previous Perspectives artists have included conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim; conductors Pierre Boulez, James Levine, Michael Tilson Thomas, and David Robertson; violinist Gidon Kremer; cellist Yo-Yo Ma; pianists Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Leif Ove Andsnes, Martha Argerich, Emanuel Ax, Maurizio Pollini, Peter Serkin, and Mitsuko Uchida; soprano Dawn Upshaw; bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff; the Emerson String Quartet; the Kronos Quartet; Senegalese vocalist Youssou N’Dour; Brazilian singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso; Indian classical tabla player Zakir Hussain; and experimental rocker David Byrne. In addition to James Taylor’s four-concert Perspectives series, throughout the 2010–2011 season, violinist Christian Tetzlaff has curated a six-event Perspectives series, exemplifying his versatility as both a soloist and a chamber musician. Perspectives artists for the 2011–2012 season will be pianist Andràs Schiff and early music ensemble L’Arpeggiata.
Program Information
Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage
JAMES TAYLOR AT CARNEGIE HALL—A Gala Celebrating 120 Years of Carnegie Hall
James Taylor
with special guests including:
Barbara Cook
Steve Martin
Bette Midler
Kevin Pollak
Dianne Reeves
Sting
Members of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus
Young People’s Chorus of New York City
A GALA CELEBRATING 120 YEARS OF CARNEGIE HALL
Tickets for the Gala Benefit on April 12, priced at $2,500 and $5,000 include premier concert seating and after-party dinner at The Museum of Modern Art. Tickets priced at $1,000 include the concert and a pre-concert cocktail reception at 6:00 PM in Carnegie Hall’s Rohatyn Room. All gala benefit tickets are available online at carnegiehall.org/jamestaylorgala or by calling the Carnegie Hall Gala office at 212-903-9679.
A limited number of premium tickets, priced at $200, $300 and $500, are available only at the Carnegie Hall Box Office (57th Street and Seventh Avenue) or by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800. All gala benefit tickets are available online at carnegiehall.org/jamestaylorgala or by calling the Carnegie Hall Gala office at 212-903-9679.
Bank of America is the James Taylor Gala Corporate Sponsor and Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall
____________________________________
Wednesday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage
JAMES TAYLOR: ROOTS
James Taylor
with special guests including:
Robert Cray
Jerry Douglas
Vince Gill
Amy Grant
Danny Kortchmar
Alison Krauss
and featuring:
Luis Conte, Percussion
Larry Goldings, Keyboards
Jimmy Johnson, Bass
Michael Landau, Electric Guitars
Kate Markowitz, Vocals
Arnold McCuller, Vocals
Chad Wackerman, Drums
Andrea Zonn, Vocals and Fiddle
Tickets: $48–$150
____________________________________
Friday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m.
Zankel Hall
JAMES TAYLOR: GUITAR CONVERSATIONS
James Taylor, Guitar
Jerry Douglas, Dobro and Lap Steel
Michael Landau, Electric Guitars
Tickets: $64, $80
____________________________________
Monday, May 9, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage
QUINTESSENTIAL JAMES TAYLOR AND HIS BAND
James Taylor, Guitar and Vocals
Luis Conte, Percussion
Walt Fowler, Horns
Larry Goldings, Keyboards
Jimmy Johnson, Bass
Michael Landau, Electric Guitars
David Lasley, Vocals
Lou Marini, Horns
Kate Markowitz, Vocals
Arnold McCuller, Vocals
Chad Wackerman, Drums
Andrea Zonn, Vocals and Fiddle
Tickets: $48–$150
____________________________________
James Taylor's Perspectives series is made possible, in part, by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.
Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.
For Carnegie Hall Corporation presentations taking place in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, a limited number of seats, priced at $10, will be available day-of-concert beginning at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon on Sunday until one hour before the performance or until supply lasts. The exceptions are Carnegie Hall Family Concerts and gala events. These $10 tickets are available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis at the Carnegie Hall Box Office only. There is a two-ticket limit per customer.
In addition, for all Carnegie Hall presentations in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage a limited number of partial view (seats with obstructed or limited sight lines or restricted leg room) will be sold for 50% of the full price.
For more information on this and other discount ticket programs, including those for students, Notables members, and Bank of America customers, visit carnegiehall.org/discounts.
# # #