(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- This February join acclaimed vocalist Chris Pinnella (formerly of Trans-Siberian Orchestra) along with his 12-Piece Orchestra, as they take the stage at Tim McLoone's Supper Club, on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, for a special 2 night engagement (February 11-12) as they reimagine some of the most classic and iconic songs ever written.
While the singer's well known version of the Leonard Cohen masterpiece, ‘Hallelujah', has become a staple in all his live shows, this weekend of shows will see the debut of newly arranged classics by Neil Young, Randy Newman, James Taylor, The Righteous Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel, Guns n' Roses, Elvis, Tom Petty, Jimmy Webb, Ray Lamontagne, Billy Joel, The Beatles and more.
"I've gone back to the drawing board for this one and I'm thrilled at how it's all coming together. From my talented musicians to the new arrangements and even the debut of another original song as well," says Pinnella.
The orchestra for night will feature Michael Pinnella (Symphony X) on Piano, Gina Corso (Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman) on Violin, Natalie Spehar (Michael Buble, 2 Cellos, Il Volo), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist) on Trumpet, Greg Grispart (Bruce Springsteen, The Duprees) on Saxophone, rounding out the group is the brilliant Doug Mikula on Lead Guitar, Jared Morris on Rhythm Guitar and Ryan Cullen on Drums.
Chris Pinnella plays Tim McLoone's Supper Club on Friday, February 11th and Saturday, February 12th at 8:00pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets start at $35.00 and are available for purchase online (click on the date for that night's tickets) or by calling the box office at (732) 774-1155. Tim McLoone's Supper Club, located at 1200 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park, is a true supper club with table style seating and dinner and drinks served throughout the night
"It's really all about the lyrics," says Pinnella on choosing songs. "If the lyric speaks to me personally and I find I can pull it off in a sincere and honest way, that's always my starting point. Musically speaking I like to approach the arranging side of things from an emotional standpoint as well, all of course, stemming from the lyric content. If I'm causing you to rethink a lyric or the music is making you feel something that you've never felt while listening to a song you thought you knew, then I'm doing something right."
The New Jersey native began his career professionally at the age of 16 after an audition for Maestro Fr. Alphonse Stephenson & the Orchestra of St. Peter performing with the orchestra on and off throughout his career. Chris went on to pursue music and received his degree from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC. Post college he worked off-Broadway and regional theatre and had the opportunity to portray the title role of Simeon in the New Musical 'Simeon's Gift' which was co-written by icon Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton-Hamilton. Pinnella spent a month with Ms. Andrews and the 6-person cast at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY working side by side until the shows premiere. Pinnella also worked alongside Emmy, Oscar winning arranger Ian Fraser and the Tony nominated John Bucchino and Tony nominated director Marcia Milgrom Dodge (B'Way's Ragtime) on the project.
