Pianist Philip Fortenberry to Return to The Smith Center, 10/5

Due to popular demand, virtuoso pianist Philip Fortenberry will perform "The Man at the Piano" concert at The Smith Center's 250-seat Cabaret Jazz showroom on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 5, at 2:30 p.m.

Fortenberry debuted his new solo show in June 2013 to sold out audiences showcasing his signature playing style in an acoustic 75-minute cabaret-style concert with the music surrounding his life story beginning as a child pianist at the young age of four in rural Mississippi to becoming a sought-after Broadway pianist, a concert artist at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, The White House, and on to giving command performances for royals and dignitaries including President Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev and the late Margaret Thatcher.

This performance will highlight Fortenberry's latest career adventure in New York as Associate Conductor for the Broadway musical, "Rocky," produced by Sylvester Stallone where he received the inaugural "Ghostlight Award" as Best Musician on Broadway, as well as his role as the hand and body double for Emmy and Golden Globe Winner Michael Douglas' portrayal of Liberace in the HBO Films biopic, "Behind The Candelabra."

During the intimate concert, he shares personal insights into the music and the special meaning it has for him by performing solo offerings of popular classical and Broadway show music he loves, including "Memory" from "Cats," "Getting' Ready Rag" from "Ragtime," "Malaguena," and Liberace's famous arrangements of "Nola" and "Chopsticks," all presented with his own brand of southern charm.

Fortenberry is currently the Associate Conductor of "Jersey Boys" at Paris Las Vegas. In 2009, his one-man show as an artist in residence at the famed Liberace Museum with more than 300 performances of "Liberace and Me" brought him more critical acclaim, along with eight solo CD releases and ongoing performances concerts around the U.S.

Tickets are now on sale for the concert and priced at $36 and $26 at The Smith Center Box Office, by phone 702-749-2000, or online atwww.thesmithcenter.com.

For more information about Fortenberry's prestigious career or to purchase his solo CDs, visit www.philipfortenberry.com.

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