“The Original Paul & George”

Come enjoy a toe-tapping celebration of dance music of the 1920’s!

Tim Ray, pianist for Tony Bennett, will sizzle on stage in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The jazz band of the Glens Falls Symphony musicians and esteemed guests will also perform Gershwin’s Lullaby and Three Preludes, and a suite of music by early jazz pioneer bandleader Paul Whiteman, arranged by Charles Peltz.

Tickets can be purchased here. The event will take place at 10 Quade Street Glens Falls, NY 12801 (Glens Falls High School).

The Program:

• Gershwin for strings – Lullaby, Three Preludes
• Rhapsody in Blue (1924 version) – Gershwin/Whiteman
• INTERMISSION
• Jazz Suite, arr. Charles – Peltz Paul Whiteman

About Tim Ray

Tim Ray’s wide-ranging skills as a soloist and accompanist have afforded him the opportunity to perform with legendary performers from all walks of music. He is perhaps best known as Tony Bennett’s most recent pianist and musical director, appearing in concerts with him until his retirement from singing in 2020. Featured on over 100 recordings to date, Tim has performed in concert with an extensive list of pop music icons, notably Aretha Franklin, Lyle Lovett, Jane Siberry and Soul Asylum. He regularly performs with leading figures in the jazz world, among them Kurt Elling, Gary Burton, Esperanza Spalding, Phil Woods, Terri Lyne Carrington, Scott Hamilton, Dave Douglas, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Lewis Nash and Rufus Reid; and his classical credits include solo performances and concerts with Gunther Schuller, the Boston Pops, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Tim’s busy schedule has included frequent tours throughout the Americas, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and has included performances at Carnegie Hall, the White House, the Kennedy Center and the 1992 Presidential Inauguration. Tim has also performed repeatedly on “The Tonight Show” (Johnny Carson, Jay Leno), “Late Night with David Letterman,” “The Conan O’Brien Show,” “Austin City Limits” and various other national TV and radio broadcasts. His most recent CD as a leader is “Excursions & Adventures”, featuring drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and bassist John Patitucci. He released his first CD as a leader in 1997 – Ideas & Opinions – on Gunther Schuller’s GM Recordings label, which included drummer Lewis Nash and bassist Rufus Reid. His second self-led CD was released in 2003 – Tre Corda – and includes Greg Hopkins on trumpet and Eugene Friesen on cello. This “chamber jazz” trio released their next recording in 2013 – Squeaky Toy – which features original compositions and music by Bela Bartok. Tim also has a solo piano CD: On My Own, vol. 1 – New Works, a collection of original compositions and improvisations, and another jazz trio release for the Whaling City Sounds label, entitled Windows. A sought-after arranger and composer, Tim has penned numerous original works for his trio Tre Corda, for solo piano, big band, string orchestra, and an extensive body of writing for jazz trio and quartet. He is a grant recipient from the National Endowment for the Arts, and is a professor on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music. Tim was previously on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music, has lectured and taught improvisation at Harvard University and MIT, and also conducts workshops and clinics at colleges and high schools throughout the U.S. and Canada.

About Glens Falls Symphony

Since Maestro Charles Peltz’ arrival in 2000, the fully professional Glens Falls Symphony has performed a dynamic repertoire, regularly including musical premieres and world-renowned guest artists while expanding musical offerings to include family concerts, summer pops programs and more. Cited as “one of the great orchestras of our country” by Pulitzer Prize- winning composer Joseph Schwantner, the orchestra comprises professional musicians who come from all over the Northeast to perform.