LIVE [Revisited]: Simon & Garfunkel

September 19, 1981

In 1981, more than 500,000 music fans gathered in Central Park to witness the now legendary reunion of folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. Award-winning recording artists, Lee Lessack and Johnny Rodgers recreate that magical night. With dulcet vocals harmonizing over lilting guitar, you’ll hear all the beloved poetic masterpieces that made Simon & Garfunkel famous: “Mrs. Robinson,” “Homeward Bound,” “Scarborough Fair,” “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” “The Sound of Silence,” and many more.

Artists

Johnny Rodgers

JOHNNY RODGERS is an internationally celebrated singer-songwriter, pianist, Broadway veteran, and recording artist who is described by Stephen Holden, from The New York Times, as an entertainer “who has show business in his bones” with “fused elements of Billy Joel, Peter Allen and Johnny Mercer.”

As an Ambassador of American Music, Johnny Rodgers dazzles audiences with his Americana mélange of original songs and classic favorites. He tours for the US State Department to places such as the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Rodgers has toured Russia and performed with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, with Igor Butman and his Jazz Orchestra as well as for the US Embassy Independence Day Celebration and the Grodno Jazz Festival in Minsk, Belarus.

Rodgers has been Music Director and accompanist for Liza Minnelli performances and tours and starred in and wrote the song “I Would Never Leave You” for Liza’s Tony Award®- winning Liza’s At The Palace, filmed and released by PBS television. Johnny has earned New York’s Nightlife, Bistro and MAC awards for his critically lauded performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Jazz At Lincoln Center, Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, and other premiere clubs. His songwriting has been recognized with Billboard and ASCAP Foundation awards.
 Visit http: JohnnyRodgers.com

 

 

Johnny Rodgers

JOHNNY RODGERS is an internationally celebrated singer-songwriter, pianist, Broadway veteran, and recording artist who is described by Stephen Holden, from The New York Times, as an entertainer “who has show business in his bones” with “fused elements of Billy Joel, Peter Allen and Johnny Mercer.”

As an Ambassador of American Music, Johnny Rodgers dazzles audiences with his Americana mélange of original songs and classic favorites. He tours for the US State Department to places such as the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Rodgers has toured Russia and performed with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, with Igor Butman and his Jazz Orchestra as well as for the US Embassy Independence Day Celebration and the Grodno Jazz Festival in Minsk, Belarus.

Rodgers has been Music Director and accompanist for Liza Minnelli performances and tours and starred in and wrote the song “I Would Never Leave You” for Liza’s Tony Award®- winning Liza’s At The Palace, filmed and released by PBS television. Johnny has earned New York’s Nightlife, Bistro and MAC awards for his critically lauded performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Jazz At Lincoln Center, Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, and other premiere clubs. His songwriting has been recognized with Billboard and ASCAP Foundation awards.
 Visit http: JohnnyRodgers.com

 

 

Lee Lessack

LEE LESSACK’s graceful Lyric baritone vocals and sophisticated and engaging persona have made him a shining star on the international concert scene. Billboard Magazine calls his singing “vocal romanticism of a high order.”

He has toured extensively in the United States and Europe and has released eight recordings since 1995, the latest being “Live in Central Park [Revisited]: Simon and Garfunkel” with Johnny Rodgers. His repertoire includes favorites from the classic and new American Songbook, as well as French artists such as Aznavour and Piaf. In 2005, he released In Good Company to great acclaim. Intimate and impeccably produced, the album features outstanding duets with music notables such as Michael Feinstein, Maureen McGovern, Amanda McBroom, Ann Hampton Callaway and Stephen Schwartz. In Good Company earned a MAC and Bistro Award for Best Recording of the Year. For a discography, visit: Lessack Discography

In 1996, Lessack founded LML Music (www.LMLmusic.com), which now has a catalog of over 100 of the country’s top live recording artists and performers. In 2008, he founded LML Music Presents, representing performers for concert bookings internationally. His clients include theater icon Chita Rivera as well as songwriter, Amanda McBroom and jazzbird, Jane Monheit. (LML Music Presents)

Lee Lessack

LEE LESSACK’s graceful Lyric baritone vocals and sophisticated and engaging persona have made him a shining star on the international concert scene. Billboard Magazine calls his singing “vocal romanticism of a high order.”

He has toured extensively in the United States and Europe and has released eight recordings since 1995, the latest being “Live in Central Park [Revisited]: Simon and Garfunkel” with Johnny Rodgers. His repertoire includes favorites from the classic and new American Songbook, as well as French artists such as Aznavour and Piaf. In 2005, he released In Good Company to great acclaim. Intimate and impeccably produced, the album features outstanding duets with music notables such as Michael Feinstein, Maureen McGovern, Amanda McBroom, Ann Hampton Callaway and Stephen Schwartz. In Good Company earned a MAC and Bistro Award for Best Recording of the Year. For a discography, visit: Lessack Discography

In 1996, Lessack founded LML Music (www.LMLmusic.com), which now has a catalog of over 100 of the country’s top live recording artists and performers. In 2008, he founded LML Music Presents, representing performers for concert bookings internationally. His clients include theater icon Chita Rivera as well as songwriter, Amanda McBroom and jazzbird, Jane Monheit. (LML Music Presents)

Reviews

“Lynn Dickerson, Chief Executive Officer, Gallo Center for the Arts”

The show was terrific! Audience LOVED it. The voices of Lee and Johnny were spot-on and the accompanying slide show added to the beauty of the show. It was a great night at the Gallo Center!

 

Lynn Dickerson, Chief Executive Officer, Gallo Center for the Arts

The show was terrific! Audience LOVED it. The voices of Lee and Johnny were spot-on and the accompanying slide show added to the beauty of the show. It was a great night at the Gallo Center!

“Julie Vance, Green Valley Recreation”

Lee Lessack & Johnny Rodgers were charming! Green Valley audiences were delighted to relive the music of Simon and Garfunkel in this fantastic production! It was a wonderful celebration of the music that touched their lives through the years.

 

Julie Vance, Green Valley Recreation

Lee Lessack & Johnny Rodgers were charming! Green Valley audiences were delighted to relive the music of Simon and Garfunkel in this fantastic production! It was a wonderful celebration of the music that touched their lives through the years.

“John Loesser, Executive Director”

Simon & Garfunkel [Revisited] was a giant hit for us at the Lyric. Our soldout audience just loved it, and we’ll be bringing it back soon!

 

John Loesser, Executive Director

Simon & Garfunkel [Revisited] was a giant hit for us at the Lyric. Our soldout audience just loved it, and we’ll be bringing it back soon!

“Lillian Harder, Director, Brooks Center, Clemson University”

LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK (REVISITED): SIMON & GARFUNKEL was the perfect choice to kick off our season. Not only were Lee Lessack and Johnny Rodgers superbly entertaining and stellar performers, but they made everything so easy for us. From my first call to Lee after hearing their showcase at APAP to the performance, all details handled so professionally and timely – that in itself is a gift for the presenter. Our patrons loved this first-rate show from the very first note, and everyone left with happy faces. One of our best opening night performances!

 

Lillian Harder, Director, Brooks Center, Clemson University

LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK (REVISITED): SIMON & GARFUNKEL was the perfect choice to kick off our season. Not only were Lee Lessack and Johnny Rodgers superbly entertaining and stellar performers, but they made everything so easy for us. From my first call to Lee after hearing their showcase at APAP to the performance, all details handled so professionally and timely – that in itself is a gift for the presenter. Our patrons loved this first-rate show from the very first note, and everyone left with happy faces. One of our best opening night performances!

“Elaine (Hendricks) Smith, Director, The Berman Center for the Performing Arts”

Audiences love Lee and Johnny, the music and their respect for Simon & Garfunkel. And, they are very easy to work with from idea to event, we will book Live in Central Park again!

 

Elaine (Hendricks) Smith, Director, The Berman Center for the Performing Arts

Audiences love Lee and Johnny, the music and their respect for Simon & Garfunkel. And, they are very easy to work with from idea to event, we will book Live in Central Park again!