A six-day residency at the State University of New York at Fredonia with internationally renowned concert pianist Leon Bates will culminate with "Gershwin on Broadway," a program dedicated to the music of legendary American composer George Gershwin, on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Rockefeller Arts Center. The performance will begin at 8 p.m. in King Concert Hall and is sponsored by Lake Shore Savings.
 
Tickets to "Gershwin on Broadway" are available at the Central Ticket Office, located in the Williams Center at the heart of the SUNY Fredonia campus, or by calling (716) 673-3501. The call is toll-free at 1-866-441-4928.
 
"Gershwin on Broadway" will include timeless selections from such beloved Gershwin shows as Lady Be Good, Funny Face, Strike Up The Band and Girl Crazy and unforgettable live renditions of songs like "Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off," "Embraceable You," "They Can’t Take That Away From Me," "Fascinatin’ Rhythm," "Slap That Bass," "I’ve Got Rhythm," "Of Thee I Sing," "I’ve Got A Crush On You" and other Gershwin classics. The highlight of the evening will be Leon Bates’ signature solo piano rendition of the beloved "Rhapsody in Blue."
 
Philadelphia native Leon Bates has performed with major symphonies such as the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the National Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, among many others. He has taken the stage in the most prestigious venues in the United States and has been seen on the BRAVO! Network, NBC’s The Today Show and CBS’s Sunday Morning. Mr. Bates has won a number of awards and competitions and holds an honorary doctorate from Washington and Lee University. He was also selected by Steinway and Sons to perform in a special Carnegie Hall performance commemorating the construction of the venerable company’s 500,000 piano. A respected recording artist, Mr. Bates’ work has been released on the Orion, Performance and Naxos labels.
 
Joining Mr. Bates for "Gershwin on Broadway" will be a foursome of respected stage performers and vocalists:

• Cedric Cannon (baritone), who has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. He has toured nationally and internationally with productions of "Porgy and Bess," and his other international engagements have included performances of "Carmen" and "Ipaliacci."
   
  
• Tenor Sam McKelton, who has traveled the world with Harry Belafonte and was an original cast member of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "The Lion King." He is an accomplished soloist, guest artist and opera singer.
   
  
• Soprano La-Rose Saxon, a popular Bess from the Gershwin masterpiece "Porgy and Bess" whose operatic roles have included Susanna in "The Marriage of Figaro," Miss Silverpeal in "The Impresario" and Frasquita in "Carmen," among many others.
   
  
• Soprano Louise Toppin, a solo recitalist and orchestra soloist who has been heard on concert series throughout the United States and Spain. "Her voice," raved The Darien (Conn.) News-Review, "has a full spectrum of colors."

Jefferson Westwood, director of Rockefeller Arts Center, is the organizer of the Leon Bates-SUNY Fredonia residency.
 
"I feel confident in stating that ‘Gershwin on Broadway’ will not only stand up as one of the most memorable shows in Chautauqua County this season," said Mr. Westwood, "but also as one of the best shows in all of Western New York."
 
The Leon Bates-SUNY Fredonia residency is supported by Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour and the Williams Visiting Professor Fund of the Fredonia College Foundation. Other supporters include the SUNY Fredonia School of Music, the SUNY Fredonia Department of Health and Wellness, The Friends of Rockefeller Arts Center, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Chautauqua County Music Teachers’ Association, Music Forum for Piano Teachers of Western New York and the Jamestown Area Piano Teachers’ Guild.
 
For additional information on the Leon Bates-SUNY Fredonia residency, please visit www.fredonia.edu/LeonBates. To learn more about upcoming events at Rockefeller Arts Center, please visit www.fredonia.edu/rac.