- Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik returns to conduct program of Paul Simon favorites, from Simon and Garfunkel years through Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints
Detroit, (November 5, 2019) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) continues the 2019-2020 PNC Pops Series with a program celebrating the music of Paul Simon.
Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik returns to Orchestra Hall to lead a symphonic tribute to Simon’s work in Simon and Garfunkel as well as the classic solo albums Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints. Vocalist Paul Loren joins Tyzik and the DSO for Paul Simon hits like “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “You Can Call Me Al,” “The Sound of Silence,” and more.
The concerts take place Friday, November 22 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, November 23 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 24 at 3 p.m. at Orchestra Hall, within Midtown Detroit’s Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center.
Tyzik, Loren, and the DSO will also be joined by vocalists Emily Drennan and Daniel Berryman, as well as guitarist Shubh Saran, drummer Eric Metzger, and bassist Mark Minoogian.
In 2017, the DSO’s pops programming took on a fresh title: the PNC Pops Series, thanks to the generous support of PNC Bank. “This is a terrific series that showcases both the DSO and a wide variety of popular music, said Ric DeVore, PNC regional president for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. “That combination is sure to put a smile on the faces of everyone who attends the concerts.”
Thanks to a generous grant from the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of North American automaker FCA US, the DSO welcomes military veterans, active military, and their families to access discounted tickets for the 8 p.m. performance on Friday, November 22 and the 3 p.m. performance on Sunday, November 24. See below for more information about the ticket discount. The FCA Foundation and the DSO thank our veterans and active military members for their service.
About Jeff Tyzik
Grammy Award winner Jeff Tyzik is one of America’s most innovative and sought-after pops conductors. Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. In addition to his role as Principal Pops Conductor of the DSO, Tyzik holds The Dot and Paul Mason Principal Pops Conductor’s Podium at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and also serves as principal pops conductor of the Oregon Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and Rochester Philharmonic – a post he has held for 23 seasons.
Frequently invited as a guest conductor, Tyzik has appeared with the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, Milwaukee Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. In May 2007, the Harmonia Mundi label released his recording of works by Gershwin with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and the RPO, which stayed in the Top 10 on the Billboard classical chart for over three months. Alex Ross of the New Yorker called it “one of the snappiest Gershwin discs in years.”
Committed to performing music of all genres, Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Megan Hilty, Chris Botti, Matthew Morrison, Wynonna Judd, Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Dawn Upshaw, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Mark O’Connor, Doc Severinsen, and John Pizzarelli. He has created numerous original programs that include the greatest music from jazz and classical to Motown, Broadway, film, dance, Latin, and swing. Tyzik holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music.
About Paul Loren
Paul Loren is a singer, songwriter, producer, and consummate entertainer leading a new generation of soulful crooners. A native New Yorker, Loren was raised on the rich legacy of soul, classic pop, and the Great American Songbook, and in those musical idioms he feels most at home. Taking elements from early R&B, jazz, and Brill Building pop, he crafts his music with an ear towards timelessness.
Citing influences like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Tony Bennett, Loren is known for his smooth sound and expressive stage presence. He has accompanied Brendan James on a national tour and regularly performs at Joe’s Pub at the Public in New York City. He has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and performed at New York Fashion Week and the legendary Stax Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. His new single, “(Gonna Take) A Little Time,” is out now.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Legends: The Paul Simon Songbook begin at $19 and can be purchased at dso.org, by calling (313) 576-5111, or in-person at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center Box Office (3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit).
Groups of 10 or more can save up to 30% on the price of a single ticket for most DSO concerts. For more information, contact Group Sales Manager Jim Sabatella at (313) 576-5130 or jsabatella@dso.org.
Veterans, active military, and their families may use the code HEROES1920 to unlock $10 tickets for the 8 p.m. concert on Friday, November 22 and the 3 p.m. concert on Sunday, November 24. The code can be used at dso.org or by calling the Box Office at (313) 576-5111.
About the DSO
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. As a community-supported orchestra, generous giving by individuals and institutions at all levels drives the continued success and growth of the institution. Conductor Leonard Slatkin, who recently concluded an acclaimed decade-long tenure at the helm, now serves as the DSO’s Music Director Laureate, endowed by the Kresge Foundation. Celebrated conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik is the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, while the outstanding trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO offers a performance schedule that features Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. One of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrates its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in seven metro area venues, as well as a robust schedule of eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion. With growing attendance and unwavering philanthropic support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.