Superstars showed up for the charity show
A sold-out Carnegie Hall came together on March 12th, for Michael Dorf Presents: The 21st Annual Music Of tribute concert, celebrating the catalog of legendary musician Billy Joel, who made a surprise appearance in the audience for the evening, honoring his iconic songbook. Among those in attendance was global superstar P!nk, joining the Carnegie Hall audience for the special tribute. The annual event once again brought together an extraordinary lineup of artists performing Joel’s beloved songs while raising funds for music education programs.
Backed by Joel’s touring band, serving as the evening’s house band and led by Joel’s longtime musical director and keyboardist David Rosenthal, the full ensemble featured Mark Rivera, Crystal Taliefero, Tommy Byrnes, Andy Cichon, Chuck Burgi, and Carl Fischer. Together they supported an extraordinary lineup of artists performing Joel’s beloved songs, including Rob Thomas, Alexa Ray Joel, Train’s Pat Monahan, Mary Chapin Carpenter, O.A.R.’s Marc Roberge, Ledisi, Lawrence, Natalie Merchant, Curtis Harding, Matt Nathanson, Itzhak Perlman, Wyclef Jean featuring students from Music Will, Rufus Wainwright, Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin, Gavin DeGraw, Bettye LaVette, Yola, Sammy Rae, Neal Francis, and Jon McLaughlin.
The evening held special significance with Joel himself in the room as artists reimagined songs that have defined generations of music fans.
The night opened with Michael Dorf welcoming the audience before Yola launched the concert with “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song).” Throughout the evening, artists delivered memorable interpretations of Joel’s catalog, including Rob Thomas performing “Vienna,” Pat Monahan with “She’s Always a Woman,” Mary Chapin Carpenter’s moving rendition of “And So It Goes,” Matt Nathanson performing “I Go to Extremes” and “Miami 2017 (Lights Go Out on Broadway),” Jon McLaughlin with “Everybody Loves You Now,” and Alexa Ray Joel performing “This Night.”
Additional highlights included Rufus Wainwright performing “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel),” Ledisi delivering a soulful version of Joel’s recent single “Turn the Lights Back On,” and a special collaboration between Marc Roberge and legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman on “The Downeaster Alexa.” Bettye LaVette performed “He’s Got a Way,” followed by a solo piano sonata interpretation of “The Longest Time” by David Rosenthal.
Continuing the long-standing tradition of spotlighting a beneficiary organization during the concert, Wyclef Jean performed “My Life” alongside students from the music education nonprofit Music Will. The evening continued with Neal Francis performing “Stiletto,” Sammy Rae with “River of Dreams” and “Get It Right the First Time,” Natalie Merchant performing “Allentown,” The Billy Joel Band and Dan Orlando performing “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” Curtis Harding with “Uptown Girl,” Gavin DeGraw performing “Big Shot,” and Lawrence with “Only the Good Die Young.”
The concert culminated with Andrew McMahon (Jack’s Mannequin) leading the audience in a sing-along performance of “Piano Man,” before the full cast returned to the stage for an encore performance of “You May Be Right.”
The event followed a sold-out live rehearsal show at City Winery New York on March 11th, offering fans an intimate preview of the performances the night before Carnegie Hall.
Together, the two sold-out performances welcomed more than 3,500 attendees and raised over $225,000 to support music education initiatives — marking the largest fundraising total in the event’s history.
“It was an incredible honor to celebrate Billy Joel’s extraordinary songbook at Carnegie Hall and to have Billy himself in the room for the evening,” states Michael Dorf, founder and producer of the Music Of series. “Seeing so many remarkable artists come together to interpret his music — and witnessing the audience’s response — was truly special. What makes the night even more meaningful is the impact it has beyond the stage, helping support music education programs and ensuring the next generation of musicians has the opportunity to learn, create, and be inspired.”
Now entering its third decade, Dorf’s Music Of series has become one of New York’s most anticipated annual musical events. Since its inception in 2004, the series has honored legendary artists including Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Prince, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, R.E.M., David Byrne, and Patti Smith, among others.
These concerts have directed 100 percent of net proceeds — $100,000 annually and over $2.4 million to date — to nonprofit organizations supporting music education. Beneficiaries include Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), Young Audiences NY, FIXS, Church Street School of Music, Partnership with Children, The D’Addario Foundation, Exploring the Arts, Jazz Foundation of America, Jazz House Kids, Long Island High School of the Arts, Musicians on Call, Save The Music, Midori & Friends, Grammy in the Schools, The Orchestra Now, The Perlman Music Program, Theatre Within, Third Street Music School Settlement, and the Newport Festivals Foundation, among others.