MUSIC

The Houston Symphony presents Michael Cavanaugh Sings Billy Joel and More. Friday-Sunday, February 26-28.  Michael Cavanaugh played Billy Joel in the hit Broadway musical Movin’ Out. Now hear him perform Billy Joel hits including “Uptown Girl,” “Piano Man” and “Just the Way You Are.” Also hear the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John and The Who.

Michael Cavanaugh is a charismatic performer, musician and actor, made famous for his piano/lead vocals in the Broadway Musical Movin’ Out. Michael Cavanaugh was handpicked by Billy Joel to star in title role and evokes a style rivaling the Piano Man. Michael appeared in the show for 3 years and over 1200 performances, receiving accolade after accolade, which culminated in 2003 with both Grammy and Tony award nominations.

Michael began playing at age 7, when his parents bought their first piano. Encouraged by family and friends, and inspired by his hero Billy Joel, Michael formed his first band at age 10 and began playing local functions, fine-tuning the craft that would become his chosen career.

His first full time gig as a musician was an extended engagement in Orlando Florida at a piano bar called Blazing Pianos. In January of 1999, Michael received an offer that would unknowingly change his life, with an opportunity to play Las Vegas at the famed “New York, New York Hotel and Casino.” It was there that Billy Joel spotted Michael and joined him on stage one fateful night of February 2001. It only took 2 songs before Billy was convinced that he had found his new Piano Man, Michael Cavanaugh. Michael closed up shop at New York, New York and moved to New York City to work alongside Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp, to shape the Broadway Musical that would be called “Movin’ Out”.

With the close of Movin’ Out at the end of 2005, Michael began touring in his own right, creating a show that reinterprets the modern pop/rock songbook. Michael soon became one of the hottest artist’s in the corporate/events market. He continues to perform worldwide for company and charity events as well as sporting events including PGA tour events, the US Open, the Indy 500. It wasn’t long before Symphony Orchestras discovered Michael’s talents and audience appeal. He accepted his first orchestral booking, “Michael Cavanaugh - The Songs of Billy Joel and more” which debuted in April of 2008 with the Indianapolis Symphony and he is currently touring this production. In October 2008, he signed with Warner/ADA to distribute his first CD titled “In Color”.

Conductor: Steven Reineke, conductor
Guests: Michael Cavanaugh, piano