Music Americana: The Songs of Elton John and Billy Joel
Instructor
Program Details
Course Description
Two of the premiere pianist-singers in music history, Elton John and Billy Joel have been making great pop music since the 1970s as the “Madman Across The Water” and the “Piano Man.” Dynamic performers and creators—John composes his music, and Joel writes his songs—they’ve sold more than 400 million recordings between them, from John’s Your Song and Candle In The Wind to Joel’s I’m Movin’ Out and Just The Way You Are. In recent years they have teamed up for concerts and announced final tours, and with Sir Elton and Mr. Joel, winner of the Johnny Mercer Award for songwriting for It’s Still Rock ‘n Roll To Me. Join Rod MacDonald & the Humdingers for a fun and low-decibel tour through the lives, music and genius of these unique artists, as told in their songs.Course Info
- Time: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Date: Wednesday, December 5
- Location: Barry and Florence Friedberg Auditorium, Boca Raton Campus
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Fees:
Member - $30
$75 for any combination of three events, members only
Non-member - $35
One-time guest pass, Member or Non-member at the door - $35.
About the Instructor
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Rod MacDonald began his career as a singer/ songwriter in Greenwich Village in New York City in 1973. He has 21 songs in the Smithsonian Folkways collection and has released 15 cds, including the 2018 release Beginning Again, and recently published his first novel, The Open Mike. He performs in festivals, concerts and clubs throughout North America, Europe, and locally, solo and with the bands Big Brass Bed and Rod & the Humdingers. He was named Best Local Acoustic Performer in Broward and Palm Beach counties by the New Times and one of the “Ten Magnificent Musicians of Palm Beach County" by The Palm Beach Post. Previous Music Americana courses include, The Birth of Rock & Roll, The Great American Songbook, and Mastery of the Art.
Bill Meredith, drums, is the backbone of several Palm Beach County rock and roll bands, including Big Brass Bed and Illumination. He has toured throughout the US and Canada, and appears on more than a dozen CDs.
Brad Keller, keyboards, has performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival and with Maynard Ferguson and the Ink Spots. He is the Jazz piano instructor at Palm Beach State College and has taught music in Palm Beach County public schools for 20 years. He is also the co-author of the Jazz Cats books used internationally to introduce young students to jazz.
Doug Lindsey, bass and vocals, has been playing in South Florida bands for 30 years.
Mario LaCasse, lead guitar, playing roots, blues, or jazz, has refined his sound as a member of Big Brass Bed, Copland Davis, Misbehavin, Flight, the Mario LaCasse Band, Lowdown 13, the NattyBos, and Groove Merchant.