Houston Symphony to Entertain with Music of Simon & Garfunkel, 2/22-24

By: Feb. 11, 2013
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On February 22, 23 and 24, the Houston Symphony invites audiences to Jones Hall for an evening of the music of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel as performed by AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle.

Houston Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Mike Krajewski will lead the orchestra as they accompany the duo, which has been performing their flawless renditions of the hit harmonies for over twenty years. Known for their faithful interpretations of Simon and Garfunkel's most popular melodies, the pair personifies the singer-songwriter essence throughout their performance.

Swearingen and Beedle are no strangers to Houston, having performed for large audiences last summer at the July 4th Star Spangled Salute concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre under the direction of Krajewski. The upcoming Songs of Simon and Garfunkel concerts at Jones Hall will reunite Krajewski and the talented pair in a performance of folk favorites such as "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Sound of Silence" as well as popular tunes like "Mrs. Robinson" and "I Am a Rock."

Houston Symphony Cynthia Woods Mitchell POPS at Jones Hall Series performances take place at 615 Louisiana St., Houston, Texas. This program will be presented Friday, February 22, 2013, 8:00pm; Saturday, February 23, 2013, 8:00pm; and Sunday, February 24, 2013, 7:30pm. Tickets from: $29. For tickets and more information, visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.

Songs of Simon and Garfunkel
Michael Krajewski, conductor
AJ Swearingen, vocalist
Jonathan Beedle, vocalist

About Michael Krajewski: Known for his entertaining programs and wry sense of humor, Michael Krajewski is a much sought after conductor of symphonic pops concerts. Now in his 13th season in Houston, he joined the Houston Symphony as Principal Pops Conductor at the beginning of the 2000-01 season and holds the same position with the Jacksonville Symphony and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Krajewski was named Music Director of the The Philly POPS in November 2012.

Much in demand as a guest conductor with orchestras across the country, Krajewski has performed with the Boston Pops and the Hollywood Bowl orchestras and has collaborated with an eclectic group of artists including flutist James Galway, mezzo soprano Marilyn Horne, pop artists Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Doc Severinsen, Al Hirt, Cab Calloway, Mary Wilson, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Pink Martini and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

With degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Michael furthered his training at the Pierre Monteux Domaine School for Conductors. He was a Dorati Fellowship Conductor with the Detroit Symphony and later served as that orchestra's assistant conductor. He was resident conductor of the Florida Symphony and for eleven years served as music director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.

About AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle: AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle have been performing remarkable tribute concerts of the music of Simon & Garfunkel for more than a decade, and their sold out shows prove that their effect on audiences is undeniable. A chance meeting in 1991 at a local club in Bethlehem, PA brought these two talented artists together. After a brief introduction, they were soon blending their voices as if they had been performing together for a lifetime. AJ's warm baritone and Jonathan's soaring tenor combine flawlessly to capture the essence and magic of Simon & Garfunkel's sound of the early years in Greenwich Village. With a quiet stage and an acoustic guitar, AJ and Jonathan recreate the memories of the iconic duo's classic hits and obscure songs.

About the Houston Symphony: During the 2013-14 Season, the Houston Symphony will be in its 100th year as one of America's leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. The Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $28.7 million, the full-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presenting more than 280 concerts for 280,000 people, including 84,000 children, annually.

Pictured: AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle



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