Michael Kaeshammer makes his orchestral debut with the Victoria Symphony

Victoria, BC – On December 19, at the Royal Theatre, charismatic jazz sensation Michael Kaeshammer makes his orchestral debut with the Victoria Symphony. Performing uniquely stylized Christmas favourites and songs from his latest album lovelight, this concert provides a brilliant and broad range of entertainment.

Michael Kaeshammer, the triple threat sensation singer/songwriter/pianist, selected the Victoria Symphony for his orchestral debut. Conducted under the baton of Giuseppe Pietraroia, The Days of Christmas concert features charming seasonal songs such as “Merry Christmas Baby,” “I'll Be Home for Christmas,” “Marshmallow World,” and “Mary's Little Boy Child” along with the gorgeous pop ballad “Isabelle” and a cover of Sam Cooke’s “Cupid” with lyrical piano playing and a jaunt melody.

“Having my orchestral debut with the Victoria Symphony is a very special moment for me. Victoria is my home and I started my career here, so performing my music with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra means a lot to me. It being Christmas makes it even more personal. I can’t wait!” exclaims Michael Kaeshammer.

Kaeshammer’s live rhythm section, noted Toronto players Marc Roger (bass) and Mark McLean (drums) will join the Victoria Symphony’s orchestra on stage, providing a broad stylistic range of songs. Kaeshammer’s vocal work is both relaxed and convincing, exhibiting an appealing confident and sexy swagger. His boyish good looks, natural and quick-witted sense of humour, and endless talent sells out his shows nationally and internationally.

Michael Kaeshammer’s on stage charm has helped him become an in-demand entertainer across North America and Europe, recently selling out across Germany and in Toronto. He has received a Juno Award nomination for three of his albums and, in 2002, Kaeshammer won the West Coast Music Awards in the Musician of the Year and Performer of the Year categories. Kaeshammer has been nominated for three Smooth Jazz Awards in the categories Male Vocalist of the Year, Keyboardist/Pianist of the Year, and Best Original Composition (for “Isabelle”), just announced last month.

Giuseppe Pietraroia, conductor in residence for the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria, has been the Music Director of the Victoria Choral Society since 2005. Giuseppe Pietraroia is the recipient of the George and Jane Heffelfinger Pacific Opera Victoria Artist of the Year Award and the Canada Council’s Jean-Marie Beaudet Award in Orchestral Conducting.

The Victoria Symphony is Vancouver Island’s largest and most active arts organization performing for more than 125,000 people each year, including 10,000 schoolchildren. Showcasing the outstanding talents of its musicians and guest artists, the Victoria Symphony’s 2009-2010 season offers a diverse and exciting line-up of over 50 concerts led by its vibrant Music Director Tania Miller.

Michael Kaeshammer – The Days of Christmas

December 19 at 8:00pm, Royal Theatre

250.385.6515 or 250.386.6121

$12, $35, $45

www.victoriasymphony.ca.

Michael Kaeshammer with special guest Jill Barber - Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 8 PM, Koerner Hall at The Royal Conservatory

According to the popular website All About Jazz, virtuoso jazz pianist and vocalist Michael Kaeshammer is “an artist brimful with talent” and “is the kind of troubadour who is instantly recognizable because of his sharp inflection and delicate phrasing”. One of the most exciting, young, jazz pianists in the country today, Kaeshammer garnered accolades throughout the Canadian Music Industry for each of his three Juno Award nominated recordings No Strings Attached, Strut and Days Like These; and has gone on to establish an international following for his dynamic live performances. Hot on the heels of two stellar sold-out shows at the Glenn Gould Studio, Michael Kaeshammer performs at 8PM at Koerner Hall at The Royal Conservatory on Friday, November 21, 2009.

Beloved for his captivating live performances, Kaeshammer’s on-stage presence is nothing less than charming, endlessly energetic and irresistibly engaging. His Koerner Hall debut will feature a 3-piece horn section along with Michael’s renown live rhythm players, musicians Marc Rogers (bass) and Mark McLean (drums).)

After studying classical piano for seven years in his German homeland, a 13-year-old Kaeshammer (pronounced "case-hammer") discovered boogie-woogie and stride piano as played by Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, Pinetop Smith, and Fats Waller. In three years, the teen wunderkind was playing boogie-woogie piano in clubs, concerts, and festivals all over Germany. He attracted attention almost immediately after the family moved to the west coast of Canada, turning heads at performances at blues and jazz festivals across the country during the summer of 1996.

The Toronto-based Kaeshammer is best known in Canada, but has performed and toured extensively in the United States and Europe. Some of his most popular songs are "On a Saturday Night" from the album No Strings Attached, "Comes Love" from Strut, and "Cinnamon Sun" from Days Like These. Still in his early 30’s, Michael Kaeshammer is a 3-time Juno Award nominee, and the winner of the 2002 West Coast Music Awards’ Musician of the Year and Performer of the Year. His sixth album, Lovelight -- a recording that is being hailed as his best work to date is produced and co-written by Ron Lopata (Jacksoul, Tomi Swick). For more information please visit www.michaelkaeshammer.com

Special guest, Jill Barber is an award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter. Barber won the Female Artist Recording of the Year award for her debut album Oh Heart at the 2005 Music Nova Scotia Awards. In 2007 Barber earned her fourth win as Best Local Solo Artist (Female) in The Coast’s annual "Best of Music Reader’s Poll", and her first win as Best Canadian Solo Artist (Female). For more information please visit www.jillbarber.com.

MICHAEL KAESHAMMER
With special guest Jill Barber
Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 8 pm
Koerner Hall / 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto / Tickets $49.50
Roy Thomson Hall Box Office - 416-872-4255 / www.roythomson.com
The Royal Conservatory Box Office - 416-408-0208 / www.rcmusic.ca