CSO to Present PETER NERO: THE GERSHWIN PROJECT, 2/8

Peter Nero's recording career has spanned 50 years, resulting in 67 recordings, numerous awards, and international recognition as one of the premiere pops conductors. Also a two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist, Nero is hailed as one of the premier interpreters of Gershwin, and will perform such beloved songs as "Embraceable You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "S'Wonderful," and "They Can't Take That Away."

The Columbus Symphony presents Peter Nero: The Gershwin Project at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) on Saturday, February 8, at 8pm. Tickets are $25-$68 and can be purchased at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 228-8600 or (800) 745-3000.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Nero began his formal music training at the age of seven. By the time he was 14, he was accepted to New York City's prestigious High School of Music and Art and won a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music. Constance Keene, his teacher and mentor, once wrote in an issue of Keyboard Classics that "Vladimir Horowitz was Peter's greatest fan!"

Nero's first major national TV success came at age 17 when he was chosen to perform Rhapsody in Blue on Paul Whiteman's TV special. He subsequently appeared on many top variety and talk shows, including 11 guest appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

In 1960, Peter Nero was signed to a three-year contract which was then renewed for another five years, producing more than 26 LPs, including Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Piano Concerto in F with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. The following year, he was honored with his first Grammy Award as Best New Artist of the Year.

His recordings over the last 14 years include two CDs with the Philly Pops, Holiday POPS! and Broadway Showstoppers, and three CDs with full symphony orchestra-On My Own, Classic Connections, and My Way. He also recorded Peter Nero and Friends, which contains collaborations with Mel Tormé, Maureen McGovern, and Doc Severinsen, among others. His latest CDs are romantic albums titled Love Songs for a Rainy Day and More in Love. By popular demand, four of his earlier vinyl recordings have been re-issued on CD. Music lovers of all generations can now hear him on Rod Stewart's album As Time Goes By ... The Great American Songbook, Volume II.

As a Steinway artist for nearly 50 years, Nero returned to New York's Carnegie Hall in 2003 to perform at a gala celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Steinway with many noted pianists, including Dr. Billy Taylor, Herbie Hancock, and Michel Legrand.

One of his greatest achievements is being the founding Music Director of the world renowned Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. On January 27, 2007, Nero joined Rod Stewart from the piano for a performance of "They Can't Take That Away from Me" at the Academy of Music 150th Anniversary Concert.

In 2009, pianist and conductor Peter Nero was honored with lifetime achievement awards from the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the Philadelphia Musicians' Union Local 77, AFM. Also in 2009, he received the Mario Lanza Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music.

Hailed as one of the premier interpreters of Gershwin, Nero starred in the Emmy Award-winning NBC Special "S'Wonderful, S'Marvelous, S'Gershwin." Other TV credits include performances on PBS-TV's "Piano Pizzazz," and with the National Symphony in Washington, DC, on its July 4th special titled "A Capitol Fourth." He served as music director and pianist for the PBS-TV special "The Songs of Johnny Mercer: Too Marvelous for Words" with co-stars Johnny Mathis, Melissa Manchester, and the Philly Pops.

Among Nero's long list of honors are six honorary doctorates (the most recent from Drexel University in 2004) and the prestigious International Society of Performing Arts Presenters Award for Excellence in the Arts. He is also included on two historic walks of fame-one in Philadelphia, and one in Miami. In 1999, he received the Pennsylvania Distinguished Arts Award presented by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. Previous honorees include Marian Anderson, James Michener, Andrew Wyeth, and Riccardo Muti. In 2009, the Abraham Lincoln Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia presented Nero with its prestigious Lincoln Award as part of its Lincoln Day 2009 celebration. The Award is given to persons of distinction who, through their actions, have significantly contributed to the United States of America.

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