Utah Symphony Presents SOUL UNLIMITED with Ellis Hall and Jeff Tyzik

On September 23 and 24, vocalist and keyboardist Ellis Hall and the Utah Symphony will perform soul music favorites, including classics by Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, and The Temptations.

This energetic concert will be led by innovative pops conductor Jeff Tyzik, and will include hits like "Let's Dance" by David Bowie, "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles, "Signed Sealed Delivered" by Stevie Wonder, and "Georgia on My Mind" by Hoagy Carmichael. Tickets start at $21 and can be purchased atwww.utahsymphony.org or by calling (801) 533-6683.

Ellis Hall, nicknamed the "Ambassador of Soul," is an accomplished vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. As an infant, he was diagnosed with glaucoma and, at an early age, he lost sight in his right eye. Yet Mr. Hall refused to allow the disease to define him. He attended the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston and studied the bass, guitar, keyboards, piano, and drums. In 1973, he created the Ellis Hall Group and was discovered by East Bay Soul "SENSATIONS" Tower of Power. In the mid-1980s, he released the album "Power," which features a number of his own compositions. He has since worked on many other recordings and projects, and has performed with musical icons, including many leading national symphonies and renowned conductors. He has starred in numerous film soundtracks and even performed several acting roles. He had the honor of performing at Helen Keller's funeral, and at former President Clinton's first inauguration ceremony.

Pops conductor Jeff Tyzik is currently the Principal Pops Conductor of the Dallas Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Florida Orchestra and Rochester Symphony. He is recognized as a gifted composer and arranger and has composed and arranged music for the Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman Orchestras and worked closely with Chuck Mangione and Doc Severinsen. In 1987, he won a GRAMMY Award for producing the album "The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen" (1986). In May 2007, his recording of Gershwin works with the Rochester Philharmonic and pianist Jon Nakamatsu was listed in the Top 10 Billboard classical music chart for over three months.

This performance marks the first event of the Utah Symphony's 2016-2017 Zions Bank Entertainment Series, which will also include "Superheroes!," "Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular!," "Jerry Herman: The Broadway Legacy Concert," and "The Spy Who Loved Me" starring Sheena Easton.

To post a comment, you must register and login.