(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Legendary YES vocalist/songwriter Jon Anderson will be playing select shows with The Paul Green Rock Academy in Summer 2022! Jon and the ensemble will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the release of YES's classic album “Close to the Edge” by performing the album in its entirety, along with other classics and surprises! The tour comes to the Wellmont Theater in Montclair on July 14th.
This Jon Anderson with The Paul Green Rock Academy tour is a resumption of the tradition started in 2005 when Jon toured with Paul Green's original School of Rock all stars.
These early shows, over 30 in total between 2006-2008, were nothing short of magical, and now Jon Anderson returns to continue that magic with a set of Yes Classics, deep cuts, mash ups, and solo works, all with lush arrangements featuring choral singing, horns, and all the other benefits of having a backing band with 25 young musicians.
Says Paul Green, “Having done a few of these songs in the past with Jon and my students, I couldn’t wait to add them to the current show. Once we did 'Close to the Edge' and 'And You and I' on our Florida run in April, I was reminded of the magic of hearing these songs recreated by young musicians…They really capture the frenetic energy of the original recordings. Then when I heard it was the 50th anniversary of the album I just knew we had to do the whole thing. Jon agreed.”
"There are so many wonderful moments in my musical life, and being on stage with these young teenagers performing Classic Yes songs, makes me so happy and proud ….. It’s a marvel and a tremendous pleasure for me. They are a joy to be with and so much fun!!!"
"I am grateful, thankful and feel very blessed to be able to sing along with them. Janee and I love them all. Love and light..." -- Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is one of the most recognizable voices in music as the lead vocalist and creative force behind YES. Anderson was the author and a major creative influence behind the ground-breaking album “Fragile” as well as the series of epic, complex pieces such as “Awaken,” “Gates of Delirium” and especially “Close to the Edge” which were central to the band's success. Additionally, Anderson co-authored the group's biggest hits, including “I've Seen All Good People,” “Roundabout” and “Owner Of A Lonely Heart.” After 50 years of success in the music business, Jon has worked with many variations of YES, as well as collaborations with Vangelis, Kitaro, Roine Stolt and Jean-Luc Ponty. He has released several critically acclaimed solo albums including “Olias of Sunhillow,” “Song of Seven,” “Animation,” “Three Ships,” “Toltec” and “Survival and Other Stories” to name just a few. In 2017 Jon reformed YES with former band members Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman. YES Featuring ARW toured the world to rave reviews and released “Live At The Apollo” CD/DVD in September 2018. Never to stand still musically, in 2019 Jon released an album he started 28 years ago, now called “1,000 Hands,” a reference to the fact that numerous guest musicians perform on the album, including Ian Anderson, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Zap Momma, Chris Squire, Alan White, Steve Howe and many more.
photo by Robin Gilbert
Jon Anderson with The Paul Green Rock Academy tour dates:
7/7: Plymouth NH - The Flying Monkey Performing Arts Center
7/8: Beverly MA - The Cabot
7/13: Huntingdon NY - The Paramount
7/14: Montclair NJ - Wellmont Theater
7/16: Ridgefield CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
7/17: Sugar Loaf NY - Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center
7/20: Glenside PA - Keswick Theatre
7/22: Kent OH - The Kent Stage
7/23: Des Plaines IL - Des Plaines Theatre
7/27: Greensburg PA - The Palace Theatre
7/30: Milwaukee WI - Pabst Theater
8/3: State College PA - The State Theatre
8/6: Albany NY - The Egg
