Neil Sedaka Brings His Bevy of Talent to Sarasota 

Singer, songwriter, composer, pianist, author - these are just a few of the titles that can used to describe Neil Sedaka, who will be playing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, April 7th at 8 PM. His impressive sixty-year career ranges from being one of the first teen pop sensations of the 50's, songwriter for himself and other artists in the 60's, a superstar in the 70's and remaining a constant force in writing and performing today.

Neil Sedaka's interest in music began at the young age of 8 years old. By the time he was 9, he had already begun his intensive classical piano training at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music. At 16, Arthur Rubinstein voted Neil as one of the best New York High School pianists. Neil considered pursuing a Doctorate in music but decided to take up a career in songwriting. He was introduced to his neighbor Howard Greenfield, by Greenfield's mother, beginning one of the most prolific songwriting partnerships of the last half-century selling forty million records between 1959-1963.

Sedaka has written hits for such legends as Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, The Monkees and The Fifth Dimension in addition to his own chart-topping hits like "Breaking Up is Hard To Do," Bad Blood," "Laughter In The Rain, "Calendar Girl," "Next Door To An Angel," and "Stairway To Heaven". His incredible work earned him induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and garnered him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In addition to his extensive worldwide tour schedule, Sedaka is still recording. His latest album, I Do It For Applause, features twelve new songs which Sedaka calls "the culmination of sixty-three years of writing."

Tickets are $36-$96. Purchase at VanWezel.org, the Box Office, or by calling 941-953-3368.

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