Pianist, composer, and singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby’s recording career has spanned over two-and-a-half decades. Within that time, Hornsby’s music has been recognized with several awards/acknowledgements that include the 1987 Grammy Award for Best New Artist with Bruce Hornsby and the Range, the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album, and the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Tonight-Hornsby will be taking the stage in Victoria Theatre with “An Evening with Bruce Hornsby”, in support of his recent release, Bruce Hornsby-Solo Concerts.
Growing up in Williamsburg, Virginia, Hornsby graduated from James Blair High School in 1973. In the spring of 1974 Hornsby’s older brother Bobby, who attended the University of Virginia, formed the band Bobby Hi-Test and the Octane Kids. The band, which featured Bruce on guitar, performed covers at fraternity parties at the college. Hornsby also studied music at the University of Richmond, as well as Berklee College of Music and in 1977, he graduated at the University of Miami.
After years of playing in bars and sending demo tapes to record companies, in n 1980, he and his brother John moved to Los Angeles, where they spent three years writing for 20th Century Fox. Hornsby finally signed his band, the Range, to RCA in 1985. The Way It Is, the band’s debut, produced three Top 20 hits, the biggest of which was the socially conscious “The Way It Is,” and the heartbreaking “Mandolin Rain”.
Since the debut with his band the Range and the work that he has done solo, Bruce Hornsby has expanded his music into many genres-pop, jazz, bluegrass, country and modern classical. He has pursued a musical career that has included collaborations with artists Ricky Skaggs, Don Henley, Ornette Coleman, Bob Dylan, Bela Fleck, Bonnie Raitt, Pat Metheny, and Robbie Robertson. Hornsby also played piano and accordion for a period of time with the one and only Grateful Dead from 1988 until Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995.
Hornsby’s newest release off his Vanguard Records in August, the two-disc set Bruce Hornsby–Solo Concerts. The album are culled from Hornsby solo concerts performed in the U.S. during 2012 and 2013. Bruce Hornsby–Solo Concerts involves what Hornsby calls an “unholy alliance” of comforting Americana and daunting composition.
Hornsby’s performance, which usually contains his backing The Nosemakers, offers audiences a glimpse of a restless spirit who continues to push forward into exciting new musical terrain. That passionate energy comes alive in each of the shows.
“An Evening with Bruce Hornsby”, will be held at Victoria Theatre tonight starting at 8pm. Every ticket to this performance includes a copy of Solo Concerts. Tickets can be purchased at Victoria Theatre’s Box Office or https://www.ticketcenterstage.com.
