“The boogie-woogie pianist best known as a must-see live act reaffirms his true colours” — The Montreal Gazette

“Technically brilliant and a spectacle” — CBC

VERNON, BC— The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre is extremely proud to present the return of internationally acclaimed pianist, singer and songwriter Michael Kaeshammer on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 7:30PM as part of the 2022/23 SPOTLIGHT Special Presentations Series.

Michael Kaeshammer’s loyal legions of fans around the globe have come to expect the unexpected from the BC-based pianist, singer/songwriter and producer. His fiery style blends jazz, boogie-woogie, and blues together with passion and consummate showmanship for an unforgettable concert experience.

“When I play, I don’t worry about if it’s jazz or pop or classical or whatever; I just play what I hear and let the music decide what it wants to be,” begins Kaeshammer. “Sure, there are different styles, different eras, different approaches, but when you really look at it, it’s all just music based on 12 notes.”

Born and raised in Germany, the classically trained pianist began performing throughout Europe in his early teens before emigrating to Canada in the mid 90’s. He released his first studio album, Blue Keys, in 1996 to widespread acclaim and has since grown from a child prodigy into a full-fledged phenomenon as an unparalleled pianist and virtuoso singer-song writer. Career highlights include opening for the likes of the Anne Murray and the late Ray Charles, recording sessions with rockers Randy Bachman and Colin James, as well as official Olympic Games performances in multiple cities. With multiple Western Canadian Music Awards and JUNO Award nominations under his belt, Kaeshammer remains a titan of Canadian jazz.

Michael Kaeshammer performs at the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre as part of a five-week, 24-date, cross-Canada tour that launched in Nova Scotia on November 9 and continues West through 2022, visiting a wide variety of communities and concert venues to bring Canadians back together through music. He last performed solo at the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre in September 2019.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting back out there to reconnect with people,” Kaeshammer enthuses. “I’ve been very fortunate to continue making music through this pandemic, but nothing compares to the experience of reciprocating energy with a roomful of people during a live performance; now more than ever, I’m eager to share that experience with as many people in as many communities as possible.”

Fans can expect an upbeat evening of music with selections spanning Kaeshammer’s beloved back catalogue, as well as a preview of his upcoming release Turn It Up. Expected in early 2023, this new collection builds on Kaeshammer’s signature blend of classical, jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie with effortless pop hooks for a compelling, cross-over style that’s instantly engaging, yet impressively substantial.

The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre presents Michael Kaeshammer on Friday, December 2 at 7:30PM. Tickets are $45 for adults, $42 for seniors, and $40 for students. To get tickets please call 250-549-SHOW (7469) and for video previews, please visit our 2022-23 SPOTLIGHT Season online at: www.vdpac.ca.

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Ticket Link: https://www.ticketseller.ca/tickets/event/michael-kaeshammer-1

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iaHKhGmRdM&t=4s

About Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society is a non-profit, charitable organization devoted to fostering artists, their work, and live performance in all genres and for all ages. The Society operates the Performing Arts Centre’s (VDPAC) on behalf of the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) and with the support of over 30 staff and 200 volunteers. Each year, we present our SPOTLIGHT Season of over 30 diverse performances, complemented by over 125 concerts, festivals, and special events. We select professional touring productions to entertain, enlighten, move and amuse our patrons. Altogether, they offer audiences of all ages a world of unforgettable live theatre experiences. Please visit: https://vdpac.ca/ & https://ticketseller.ca/

Facebook: @vdpac
Instagram: @vernonperformingarts

For more information, media can contact:

Angela Pells

Marketing Director

250-542-9335

[email protected]