December 08, 2004 -

PETER NERO FORCED TO CANCEL AT LAST MINUTE DUE TO ILLNESS

Ottawa, Ontario -- Jazz pianist and Pops conductor Peter Nero has been obliged to cancel his Pops concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra from Thursday, December 9 to Saturday, December 11 due to illness. However the show will go on with Big Band legend Tommy Banks replacing Nero as conductor and pianist in a similar programme of swing including the addition of jazz vocal star Carol Welsman and trombone virtuoso Ian McDougall.

The unforgettable sounds of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Hogie Carmichael – these are the sounds that defined a generation and set the world dancing, and these are the sounds that audiences will hear in these CJOH Pops concerts. Peter Nero is sending all his musical arrangements as well as his Philly Pops musical ensemble to join the NAC Orchestra for a full symphonic extravaganza sure to put audiences “In the Mood.”

Tommy Banks is known to many Canadians as an accomplished and versatile musician and entertainer.  He is a recipient of the Juno Award, the Gemini Award, and the Grand prix du Disque. From 1968 to 1983 he was the host of the Tommy Banks show on television.  He has provided musical direction for the ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games, The world University Games, EXPO ’86, the XV Olympic Winter Games, various command performances; and has performed as guest conductor of symphony orchestras throughout Canada, the United States, and in Europe.

Carol Welsman is an internationally acclaimed vocalist and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. She has sold 50,000 jazz albums in Canada, was awarded Vocalist of the Year at 2002 National Jazz Awards in Toronto, and has received Juno Award nominations on four of her five CDs.

Canadian Ian McDougall toured Great Britain with the John Dankworth Band before returning to Canada in 1962 to begin a lengthy career as a freelance player, composer and arranger in Vancouver and in Toronto where, until 1991, he was also the lead and solo trombonist with Rob McConnell's award winning Boss Brass. The past few years have included tours in Canada and abroad, both as a soloist and with The Ian McDougall Quartet formed in 1994.

Tickets for “In the Mood” on December 9, 10 and 11, 2004, are on sale now at $34.50, $49.50, $51.50, $61.00 and $63.00, with box seats at $90.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111.  Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.  Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card.  Groups of 20 and more save up to 20% on NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To book, call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
NAC Orchestra
(613) 947-7000 ext. 335;
jmorris@nac-cna.ca