If you’re still thinking about catching Bruce Hornsby’s solo piano performance on Friday at the Cascade Theatre in Redding, you might want to act now on tickets — the main floor is sold out and much of the balcony is gone as of Wednesday afternoon. Tickets are $35 to $45 for the 7:30 p.m. concert. Click here to purchase tickets.
Why check him out? For one thing, he’s a virtuoso pianist who can cover any genre: He’s done everything from his tremendous solo work, to a year and a half tour with the Grateful Dead, to high-end projects with jazz and bluegrass players like Christian McBride and Ricky Skaggs.
Two other huge assets to Hornsby are his tremendous songwriting and soulful voice. Two years ago when he played the Cascade with his band, he dipped heavily into the album “Spirit Trail,” which is one of my favorites and one of his best (in my opinion).
He’s one of those rare musicians who possesses the full range of classical chops, but knows how to really let loose into the feeling and soul of the music.
Catching him solo should be a real treat. It was great to see him with a full band two years ago, but I remember his drummer’s cymbals cutting through the room and nearly cutting my head off. The Cascade is such a sensitive room and too much volume is a mistake that more than one touring band has made there.
(Touring bands: please trust Cascade technical director Todd Tracy. He knows what he’s doing.)
Bruce’s solo piano mix should be no problem on Friday. It should be a wonderful sound.
Hornsby’s a laid-back guy and absolute monster player. Click here for Jon Lewis’ excellent story on him on redding.com.
— Jim Dyar
