Tony DeSare

Tony DeSare is a jazz vocalist and pianist known for crossover pops concerts that pair symphony orchestras with classic American songbook and popular music. He appears with orchestras performing programs built around composers like Cole Porter as well as tributes to artists such as Billy Joel, singing from the piano in a relaxed, conversational style aimed at audiences who enjoy familiar tunes in a concert hall setting.

Expect a program of well-known American songbook standards and popular hits, arranged for orchestra and delivered with DeSare singing while accompanying himself on piano. In the Cole Porter program, listen for the wit of the lyrics coming through in his phrasing on songs like "Anything Goes" and "You're the Top," with tempos that lean toward a relaxed, swinging pulse rather than strict concert precision. The Billy Joel program draws on that songwriter's mix of ballads and upbeat piano-driven numbers, translated for orchestra with DeSare taking the piano and vocal lead. These are pops concerts built for listeners who want recognizable melodies, easy charm, and a bit of storytelling between numbers rather than a strictly classical evening.