Marvin Hamlisch conducts and Elaine Stritch hosts
Special guest Liza Minnelli

On Monday, May 8, 7:00PM at Carnegie Hall The New York Pops 23rd Birthday Gala will celebrate the piano in all its forms – from American standards to jazz to classical music to contemporary popular music. The gala also celebrates the life of Skitch Henderson, who would have been 88 this year. A Steinway artist for more than 50 years, Skitch Henderson was fluent as a pianist in the languages of classical music, jazz, and popular music. He brought all three genres into his distinctive programs for The New York Pops which he founded and led until his death on November 1, 2005.

Conducted by Marvin Hamlisch and hosted by Elaine Stritch, with special guest Liza Minnelli, the gala will feature celebrated pianists with The New York Pops – all raising funds for the orchestra and its free education programs and free summer concerts. Van Cliburn is the Gala Honorary Chair and Atlantic Records’ founding chairman Ahmet Ertegun is the Gala Honoree.

The artists volunteering their talents for the gala concert include Broadway’s Jersey Boys, Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, J. Robert Spencer, John Lloyd Young. They will perform selections from the new Broadway musical based on the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Bob Lappin, a gifted pianist, recording artist, broadcaster, and music personality who is the founder of the Palm Beach Pops, will perform jazz standards with his trio and The New York Pops. Darlene Love, who first earned fame in the 1960’s performing hits such as “He’s a Rebel” and “Da Doo Ron Ron” and is currently playing Motormouth Maybelle in Broadway’s Hairspray, will perform “Georgia on My Mind” and other selections. She recently recorded “Georgia on My Mind” with The New York Pops for the 2006 Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The legendary Liza Minnelli hardly needs introduction. Her storied career began at the age of three and hasn’t slowed down yet. She is an icon of stage and screen who has won virtually every award possible, including an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, and an Emmy. She continues her music and film career. Currently making us laugh as the hilarious Lucille Austero on TV’s Arrested Development she has numerous upcoming projects including the release of “Liza With a ‘Z’” on DVD. Peter Nero is a two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist who has built an impressive career as a pops conductor, arranger, and composer. Peter founded The Philly Pops almost 25 years ago and it is now a resident company at the new Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Jazz impresario George Wein is renowned for his work in organizing and booking music festivals, and in particular, creating the Newport Jazz Festival. He has also been a professional pianist and recording artist for most of his life. He and Skitch had planned to do a piano duet on May 8. Skitch will surely be smiling down as his friend plays on.

Please join The New York Pops and these amazing artists on Monday, May 8 at 7:00PM. To purchase tickets, please call CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or visit www.carnegiehall.org.

For information on the post-concert dinner dance at the New York Athletic Club or the Young Friends Reception at FIZZ call 212-765-7677 or visit www.newyorkpops.org.

The New York Pops is proud to have the support of Delta Air Lines, the official airline of The New
York Pops, the New York Marriott East Side Hotel, the official hotel of The New York Pops, and
The New York Observer, media sponsor. Con Edison is a proud sponsor of The New York Pops
education program Salute to Music. The New York Pops is supported by the New York City
Department of Cultural Affairs and The New York State Council on the Arts.

Delta is a Proud Sponsor of the New York Pops. For all your travel needs and to find out about all the new cities Delta is flying... visit www.delta.com/newcities