Tickling the ivories, and all that jazz

The Columbus Philharmonic will host contemporary jazz pianist Tony DeSare in a concert on Sept. 16.

DeSare is known for warming to crowds with classics, originals and current pop hits by Billy Joel, Elton John, Journey, the Bee Gees and more.

Forty-five minutes before the concert, David Bowden and Tony DeSare will share their thoughts in a “Musically Speaking” pre-concert conversation free to concert ticket-holders.

This entertaining and informative discussion is a chance to become familiar with the music of the Philharmonic and DeSare’s creative take on jazz classics. Musically Speaking will take place at Columbus East High School in Room C110 at 6:45 p.m.

DeSare first performed in Columbus in March 2015 for a solo show in the inaugural Cabaret at The Commons series. Since making his Columbus debut, the New York-based musician has toured the globe with his work.

Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, DeSare has lived up to this distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout North America and abroad. DeSare has three top 10 Billboard jazz albums and has been featured on the CBS Early Show, NPR, A Prairie Home Companion and the Today Show, and his music has been posted by social media celebrity George Takei, according to a statement from the Philharmonic.

He releases new recordings and videos of standards and new songs on his YouTube channel, iTunes and Spotify. Also a successful songwriter and composer, DeSare’s tune “Chemistry” won the USA Songwriting Competition’s No. 1 jazz award and was second overall among all genres. Three of his recordings were ranked among Billboard’s top 10 jazz albums and his original songs have made their way into a number of film soundtracks, according to the statement.

The performance is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Columbus East Robbins Auditorium. Tickets are $5 to $55, and are available at thecip.org and by phone at 812-376-2638.