Jade Simmons will join Peoria Symphony in concert

Pianist Jade Simmons will grace the stage of the Peoria Civic Center Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday when the Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents its Valentine's Day concert.

The orchestra and Simmons will celebrate the musical legacy of George Gershwin, which "crossed the boundaries between classical, jazz and Broadway," the Symphony Orchestra said in a news release.

"The best reason to come to this concert is that will be great music and great fun. Gershwin's music gets right to the heart, to the soul and to the mind," said PSO Conductor George Stelluto in a news release. " Pianist Jade Simmons reaches audiences of all ages the same way – through talent, insight and smart, artistic innovation. What better way to spend an early Valentine's evening."

He added it is the second time the PSO has featured the music of George Gershwin in its Valentine's Day concert.

"Last year was such a success, that we wanted to celebrate Valentine's Day again with Gershwin music. This concert features three Gershwin pieces: Cuban Overture, Concerto in F and Second Rhapsody -- they all feature vivacious rhythms, sensual melodies and dark-chocolate harmonies. Pianist Jade Simmons will perform on the Concerto in F and Second Rhapsody, which are written for solo piano and orchestra."

"George Gershwin was recognized as a national treasure in his lifetime," explained Stelluto. "When George Gershwin performed at the Ravinia Festival in 1936, the crowd was so huge that people climbed the trees in order to attend the concert. That's what a star he was. When he was dying in the hospital, the President of the United States employed the US Navy to find the boat on which America's greatest brain surgeon was vacationing. That's how valued Gershwin was to America. "

Simmons, a former Miss Illinois, will present a pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m. Simmons has also focused on expanding the boundaries of classical music. The Washington Post called her, "A clear, powerful pianist with a magnetic personality...worth seeing any time."

Susan Hoffman, PST executive director, said the concert, titled "Romance," would be "a great date night for sweethearts or a fun get-together for friends. This concert can solve the question of what to do for Valentine's Day or for a night out."

She said the audience is invited to attend a complimentary post-concert reception to continue their enjoyment of the evening following the concert.

Tickets start at $26 for adults and $11 for students and are available at ww.peoriasymphony.org or by calling the PSO box office, 309/671-1096.

Simmons, a Yamaha Artist, has toured the US extensively, highlighted by concerts on Ravinia's Rising Stars series, the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, the University ofWashington World Series in Seattle, Merkin Hall and the Detroit Institute of Arts. She

has built a career and reputation combining musical innovation with social and education activism, the PSO release said.

 "We are pairing the innovative, dedicated Gershwin with the innovative, dedicated Jade Simmons," said Stelluto. "Not only is she a great pianist, but she is also an innovator, educator and artistic adventurer – much the same as Gershwin."

About the Author

Paul Gordon is the editor of The Peorian after spending 29 years of indentured servitude at the Peoria Journal Star. He’s an award-winning writer, raconteur and song-and-dance man. He also went to a high school whose team name is the Alices (that’s Vincennes Lincoln High School in Indiana; you can look it up).