Symphony Society to present the music of Ronnie Kole: Around the World on 88 Keys
The Southwest Florida Symphony Society, the fundraising auxiliary of the Southwest Florida Symphony, will hold its winter fundraiser “Around the World on 88 Keys” featuring New Orleans celebrity jazz legend Ronnie Kole, with special guest emcee, retired Minnesota Twins announcer, John Gordon.
The event takes place on Sunday, Jan. 26, from 4-7 p.m, with a champagne reception for VIP guests from 3-4 p.m. at the Italian American Club, 4725 Vincennes Blvd.
Tickets to Around the World on 88 Keys are $75 per person for general admission or $125 per person for VIP admission. General admission includes hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to bid on live and silent auction items. VIP admission includes a private champagne reception and reserved seating. Cash bar is available.
For tickets and more information, call the Southwest Florida Symphony Society at 239-731-0426
Ronnie Kole
Pianist and vocalist Ronnie Kole is touted as a legend in New Orleans jazz circles. In addition to his dedicated Louisiana following, Kole performs frequently in Europe and Asia, where his smooth sound and elegant persona lend themselves to refined venues and guest appearances with symphony orchestras as well as solo performances and at festivals world wide.
A protege of Al Hirt, Kole began his professional career on television, gaining exposure on the Johnny Carson Show. After a stint in Las Vegas, he followed Hirt to New Orleans. Kole honed his act in Hirt’s club on Bourbon Street, before opening his own club, Kole’s Corner, which, along with Hirt and Pete Fountain’s clubs, became renowned for world-class entertainment and music. Since retirement from club ownership, Kole’s talents have kept him busy performing on the New Orleans jazz circuit in addition to touring throughout the United States and abroad.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, Chevalier to the Order of Arts and letters of commendation from the French Government are just a few of his countless accolades.
He has performed at Carnegie Hall (in 2006), for six presidents and soon to be Saint, Pope John Paul II.
Kole is the fifth person to be inducted into New Orleans Musical Legends Park, located in the French Quarter of New Orleans. In April 2008, his life size bronze statue was unveiled, standing along side Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Fats Domino, Chris Owens, Louis Prima, Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint. In October 2010, Kole received the Mahalia Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award along with other music legends Fats Domino, Pete Fountain and Ellis Marsalis. In November 2012, Kole was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
John Gordon
John “Gordo” Gordon is a retired Major League Baseball radio broadcaster who was best known as the play by play announcer for the Minnesota Twins on the Twins Radio Network and their Metro Affiliate KSTP 1500 AM. He is well known among Twins fans for his intense emotional style of play-calling, and for his trademark call of each Twins home run: “Touch ’em all!”
Southwest Florida Symphony
The Southwest Florida Symphony is Fort Myers’ only professional symphony and the oldest symphony orchestra in Southwest Florida. It enters its 53rd season this year, having made its debut as a community orchestra on April 15, 1961.
This season features its signature Masterworks Classical Concert Series continuing Feb. 8, March 1 and March 29; its Pops Series, (Music of the Rat Pack on Jan.17 and 18 at BBMann; Torres & Tango on Jan. 31 and Feb.1 at BBMann; and the Sound of Musicals on March 7 and 8 at BBMann, a Sanibel Series, performed at BIG Arts on Sanibel Island (Jan. 22, Feb. 12 and March 26), additional concerts at Shell Point Village (Jan. 23 and March 25), and a performance at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida on March 22. For tickets and more information, call the Southwest Florida Symphony Society at 239-731-0426.
Southwest Florida Symphony Society
The generous spirit of volunteerism is evident through membership of over 300 individuals in the Symphony Society. This all-volunteer organization serves as the Southwest Florida Symphony’s largest fund-raising arm. Each year The Society’s volunteers contribute nearly 20,000 hours and provide between $70,000 and $100,000 to the Symphony. With its flagship year in 1970, The Southwest Florida Symphony Society was founded by Veronica Awiss, and consisted of 23 members, including charter member, Barbara B. Mann. By the end of the Society’s first season, its membership roster grew to 150 women. The Symphony Society now hosts a wide variety of fundraising events, all to benefit the Southwest Florida Symphony. Membership is open to anyone and costs between $40 and $75 per year, plus a one time $10 initiation fee. For more information and for membership applications, call the Southwest Florida Symphony Society Office at 239-731-0426, visit www.swflso.org or the Society’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Southwest-Florida-Symphony-Society/219253064761589