Westport, CT - The Westport Arts Center is excited to close its 2017-18 Concert Series with a unique program by Simon Mulligan with the Simon Mulligan Trio on Friday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arts Center.
Acclaimed British pianist Simon Mulligan has been described by The Times of London as “the most abundantly gifted of pianists” and by Herbie Hancock as “phenomenal.”
Mulligan is also known for his collaborations with many notable artists. He has performed for President Barack Obama, Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family, and has collaborated with Dame Shirley Bassey, Branford Marsalis, Liza Minnelli, Van Morrison, and Sting.
For this performance, Mulligan with the Simon Mulligan Trio will perform a program that traverses the worlds of Jazz and Classical music with selections from Mozart, Debussy and Chopin as well as a unique interpretation of the George Gershwin Songbook.
Alexander Platt, the curator for the Westport Arts Center’s 2017-18 Concert Series, willserve as a guide for concert attendees, and will share his perspective and insights at the performance.
Platt stated, "Over a friendship spanning 20 years, Simon Mulligan has proven to be one of those truly rare birds -- the virtuoso pianist who really is equally at home in the worlds of Jazz and Classical; given his involvement in the world of cinema, and an understated English manner, it's a young Andre Previn who immediately comes to mind.”
“Take one part George Shearing, one part Oscar Peterson, and one part Sir Clifford Curzon, shaken and stirred -- and you've got a gloriously diverse musical elixir that's sure to please, in a rep that ranges from Monk to Mozart . . .working with Simon is always a thrill," Platt added.
The concert will take place in the context of the visually stunning Handmade: Women Reshaping Contemporary Art exhibition at the Westport Arts Center, featuring the works of over 15 female artists with a focus on fiber and textile arts. Artists of note include Lesley Dill, Faith Ringgold, Miriam Schapiro, Judith Scott, and Beverly Semmes.
To learn more about the concert or the 2017-18 Concert Series, please visit www.westportartscenter.org or call 203/222-7070. The Westport Arts Center thanks WSHU for their generous support.
More About Simon Mulligan
Following his début with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Mulligan has performed and recorded with the BBC Symphony, Detroit Symphony (under Slatkin), English Symphony Orchestra (Boughton), Warsaw Sinfonia (Menuhin), Hong Kong Philharmonic (Atherton), Malaysian Philharmonic, and the Royal National Scottish Orchestra (Serebrier) to name a few.
Mulligan made his first compact disc under the direction of Yehudi Menuhin, which led to a seven-year collaboration and friendship, culminating in what was to be Lord Menuhin's final concert in Düsseldorf. Since then, recording highlights include Piano for Sony Classical, featuring his own arrangements, compositions, and adaptations for piano and orchestra. Simon has also made compact discs for Universal, Decca, Nimbus and Naxos.
Ticket Information
The Westport Arts Center encourages advance registration. Tickets for the Simon Mulligan concert are $40 for WAC members and $50 for non-members if purchased in advance. All tickets purchased at door are $60/ticket.
Free Companion Tickets are also available for Seniors ages 65+; each ticket purchase of $50 includes a free companion ticket (a two-for-one!).
About the Westport Arts Center
The Westport Arts Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting our community through the arts, reaches more than 11,000 people annually through outstanding programs in visual arts, arts education, and the performance arts of Chamber music and jazz.
The Westport Arts Center receives philanthropic support from the Katherine and Howard Aibel Foundation; Anthropologie & Co.; Artur and Heida Hermanns Holde Foundation, Inc.; Bernstein Private Wealth Management; Cohen and Wolf, P.C.; Critical Mix; Delamar Southport; Design Within Reach; Dragone Motor Cars; Fairfield County Bank; Fairfield County's Community Foundation; Fairfield County Hunt Club; 4th Row Films; First County Bank Foundation; GWAY Print Solutions; Hal Prince Music; the Hall Art Foundation; The Hofstetter Baron Group; Hotel Zero Degrees; J.P. Morgan; Land Rover/Jaguar of Fairfield; Moffly Media; Newman’s Own Foundation; Northeast Tent; Serena & Lily; Shack Sackler Foundation; Sontag Advisory LLC; Steven Mancini Salon; Success Printing & Mailing; Teich Gardens; Tito's Handmade Vodka; Verde Energy USA, Inc.; Wells Fargo Advisors; Westport Now; Westport Resources, a division of United Capital; WPKN and WSHU Public Radio Group. The Westport Arts Center operates with the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
For more information, contact the Westport Arts Center at (203) 222-7070 or www.westportartscenter.org. The Westport Arts Center gallery is open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT.