Drummer Steve Gadd to Join Friends and Love Musical Reunion Concerts with RPO

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is pleased to announce that internationally acclaimed drummer Steve Gadd – original member of the RPO’s legendary 1970 Friends and Love concert with Chuck Mangione and Don Potter – will be joining his colleagues for the May 2007 Friends and Love concert.  In what now has become a major musical reunion, original performers Mangione, Potter, Gadd, bassist Tony Levin, pianist Gap Mangione, guitarist and vocalist Bat McGrath, sax player Gerry Niewood and trumpeter Lew Soloff join the Orchestra for three concerts on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m.

The 1970 Friends & Love concert with the RPO at the Eastman Theatre featured Chuck’s compositions for full symphony orchestra and six accomplished soloists.  This concert was recorded live by WXXI and led to a recording contract with Mercury records and a Grammy nomination.  The original music – combining an eclectic variety of musical idioms – will be completely recreated for these concerts.

Tickets for these performances are $20-$56, available online 24/7 at www.rpo.org, by phone (454-2100) and in person from the RPO Box Office, as well as at any Wegmans locations.  RPO Box Office Hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (non-concert Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.). Wegmans is open seven days a week. A convenience fee may apply.  The WPOP Series is sponsored by Wegmans; this concert is sponsored by Xerox with additional support provided by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Chuck Mangione’s appearance is sponsored by the Harold and Judy Samloff Family Fund.