Child Piano Sensation Ethan Bortnick to play Raleigh 2/24/2011

Nine-year-old pianist, composer and entertainer Ethan Bortnick has been making headlines as one of the youngest musicians to have his own PBS special, and is now bringing the show to fans across the country with an upcoming CD/DVD release and national headlining tour. Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine will be released through Razor & Tie on October 26th, featuring the concert special that has captured the attention of PBS viewers along with special bonus content. Ethan will take his musical time machine back on the road on January 14th for a nationwide trek, including a stop at Meymandi Concert Hall located in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh on February 24, 2011.

Filmed at the historic El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine puts Ethan center stage as he delivers a trip through music's history from classical to pop and many genres in between. Disco queen Gloria Gaynor joins Ethan for a rendition of her anthem "I Will Survive," while legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval accompanies him on the Louis Armstrong classic "What a Wonderful World." Other performances include Ethan's energetic take on Little Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly," a performance with the Canadian Tenors and an introduction to some of his original compositions including "Arctic Jazz," a song that delivers an inspirational message with a jazz swing.
Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine will be available at retailers nationwide on October 26th in a special combo package including a CD and DVD featuring highlights from the PBS special. Bonus features on the DVD include behind the scenes footage, Ethan conducting a special interview with music industry icon Quincy Jones and five performances not seen on the televised PBS special.
"Ethan's imagination and ability to create music from stories is unbelievable," says Quincy Jones. "With such special talent and expressive piano playing, he's sure to go all the way ."
On January 14th, Ethan will kick off a national headlining tour that will take him to over 20 cities throughout North America, including a stop at the Best Buy Theater in New York City and two hometown dates at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, FL. On the tour, Ethan will play songs from the PBS special and beyond as he brings to life some of music's most well known classics and biggest hits from every era and genre, from Mozart to rock ‘n' roll and the Beatles to Justin Bieber.

Ethan will also be making special appearances in the upcoming months. On October 27th he will be performing in New York at Matt Damon's ONEXONE fundraiser. On November 13th, he will join David Archuleta on stage as the Children's Miracle Network recognizes doctors, nurses and other amazing caregivers from their nationwide network in the annual Delta Miracle Awards in Orlando.
On November 27th, "Keys to Music City" will feature Ben Folds performing with the Nashville Symphony, led by guest conductor Francisco Noya, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall in Nashville. Ethan will join fellow pianist Folds for a portion of the show, which benefits the Nashville Symphony and two local firefighting organizations: the Williamson County Rescue Squad and Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department.
"Yes, Ethan has perfect pitch and photographic memory, has performed with some of the worlds finest, has a repertoire of over 200 songs as well as his own compositions all at the age of nine," says Ben Folds. "But more than that I am struck by is his spirit - his natural wisdom and ability to inspire both musically and personally."

Ethan made his national television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in May 2007 and has since made appearances on national shows on every major network, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart Show and many others. Ethan will return to Good Morning America on October 26th for a performance to celebrate the release of Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine.

Through concert and charity events, he has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Natalie Cole, Beyoncé and Reba McEntire and recently joined some of music's biggest names, including Barbra Streisand, Kanye West and Miley Cyrus, as the youngest member of the all-star lineup that recorded "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" and earned the distinction of being named the youngest musician to be endorsed by premier instrument manufacturer Gibson Guitar/Baldwin Piano.

Beyond his amazing talent as a musician, Ethan has made a name for himself as one of the world's youngest philanthropists. Through his appearances at benefits and charity galas, he has helped raise millions of dollars for charities around the world including the Miami Children's Hospital, Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night, Matt Damon's ONEXONE, The Starkey Hearing Foundation and many others.

 

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