Every time Jim Brickman sits down at the piano to compose, he thinks about the concept he wants to express and voila. Beautiful music springs forth. When Christmas is involved, he cannot refrain from incorporating the holiday spirit. The program he brings to Strathmore marks the 16th season of his Christmas special, an invigorating concert that reaches out to all ages.
“I love to travel at holiday time and spread cheer wherever we go,” he said. “Each show features a favorite guest star. This year it’s Ann Cochran. We grew up together and attended Shaker Heights High School near Cleveland. We had a band in high school and continue to share a light-hearted familiar feeling on stage.”
| Onstage |
| Jim Brickman |
| Where: Strathmore Music Center |
| When: 8 p.m. Wednesday |
| Info: $35 to $55 at 301-581-5100 or strathmore.org. |
They will be joined by inspirational singer Ben Utecht and electric violinist Tracy Silverman. Utecht is the former University of Minnesota tight end and Super Bowl champion who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2004.
When he is not performing, giving workshops worldwide or teaching, Silverman may be heard on Jim Brickman’s CDs, TV specials, Minnesota Public Radio, as a soloist with symphony orchestras or performing with his rock ensemble, “Eclectica.”
Brickman holds his artist friends close to his heart and welcomes having them along on his favorite show of the year. After his professional start writing commercial jingles for a contest, he concentrated on writing songs and the piano and instrumental pieces heard on his 25 albums.
“My music grew out of the way I look at people,” he said. “We have a stage chemistry with the audience that feels like we’re hanging out together. I love to entertain people and want my brand to be bright, joyful and inspirational. I’ve been lucky that people like my songs about romance, faith and nostalgic memories.”
Brickman’s year ahead is filled to the brim. International tours of Europe and Asia and his annual fan cruise are high on an agenda that includes writing music, producing and developing a tribute to the Carpenters. In addition to his interest in Camp Heartland for children with autism, HIV and AIDS, he supports music education by raising scholarships for young musicians.
But for now, his heart is with the holidays. “I want those attending my Christmas Celebration to leave feeling it was therapeutic in a calm, beautiful way,” he said. “We enjoy performing music that is real, kind, not phony and is appropriate for families.”
