The 2011-2012 Season:

That's Entertainment!
September 16-18
John Morris Russell, conductor
Katharine McPhee and Brian Stokes Mitchell

Join the fun as huge talent gathers on stage for the inaugural concert of our new Conductor, John Morris Russell. The true colors of the Pops shine through in music that has inspired the hopes and aspirations of millions, including hits from Broadway, the American Songbook, rock, pop and, of course, your favorite anthems. JMR launches a new era of your Cincinnati Pops with the help of Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell, American Idol star Katharine McPhee and the May Festival Chorus. Be there!

Wynonna!
October 22-23
John Morris Russell, conductor
Wynonna Judd

Called ?the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline? by Rolling Stone, Wynonna Judd is a Kentucky-born, five-time Grammy winner and bestselling author. Whether delivering chart-toppers like ?No One Else on Earth? and ?Love Can Build a Bridge,? or easing back into classic songs like ?When I Fall in Love? and ?At Last,? Wynonna grabs the listeners’ ears and hearts with her rich, commanding voice and ?pursue-your dreams- against-all odds? life journey.

Pops Remix – Sweet Sounds of the 70s
November 6 & 20
John Morris Russell, conductor
New York Voices

JMR and the Cincinnati Pops salute the great singers and songwriters that filled the airwaves during one of the most iconic decades in American culture. With influences ranging from jazz to pop, to Brazilian and R&B, the Grammy-winning vocal group New York Voices takes the listener on a wistful trip with classic hits by Paul Simon, Carole King, Chicago, Stevie Wonder and more on November 6 and 20.

Happy Holidays with the Pops
December 9-11
John Morris Russell, conductor
Sandi Patty

As one of America’s best-loved performers, Sandi Patty has sold more than 11 million records and continues to merit accolades. She is one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time, earning an astounding 35 Dove Awards, 5 Grammy Awards, and three platinum and five gold albums, in addition to performing before millions in concert appearances in amphitheaters, concert halls and smaller worship settings. She joins JMR and the Pops in a Cincinnati Yuletide tradition – “Happy Holidays with the Pops” December 9-11.

Night in Havana
January 20-21
John Morris Russell, conductor
Tiempo Libre

Inspired by the music of Bach and infused with the rhythms of their homeland, the members of Miami-based Tiempo Libre have brought the rich musical tradition of their native Cuba to America, and are very much living their American Dream. These classically trained artists, seen on TV’s Dancing with the Stars and Live from Lincoln Center, have been a global hit since their debut album dropped in 2005. Tiempo Libre teams up with JMR and the Cincinnati Pops on January 20-21, 2012 to bring the hot Cuban rhythms and piquant jazz colors to a winter evening.

Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies
February 17-19
John Morris Russell, conductor

Disney is as American as baseball and apple pie, and has delighted generations around the world. On February 17-19, JMR conducts the Cincinnati Pops and guest soloists in a performance of the most magical music from the studio’s most popular movies in this crowd-pleaser and family favorite. When the Orchestra opens the Disney vault, audiences get a big screen and live vocal celebration of the music and songs from theatrical and animated releases including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and more.

Pops Remix
February 26
Steven Reineke, conductor
Chris Botti

The largest selling American jazz instrumentalist, trumpet sensation Chris Botti, joins the Pops for a one-night-only event on February 26, 2012, conducted by longtime Cincinnati Pops collaborator Steven Reineke. Mr. Botti’s success has crossed over to audiences usually reserved for pop music and his ongoing association with PBS has led to four #1 Jazz Albums, as well as multiple Gold, Platinum & Grammy Awards – not to mention People Magazine’s ?50 Most Beautiful People.? Over the past three decades, this great American artist has recorded and performed with the best in music including Frank Sinatra, Sting, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Andrea Bocelli, Joshua Bell and Aerosmith's own Steven Tyler. Unmistakably, Mr. Botti sets the standard for smooth and sophisticated entertainment.

Pops Remix – The Music of Ray Charles
March 25
John Morris Russell, conductor
Ellis Hall

The pioneering work of Ray Charles—fusing styles and genres from R&B, gospel, country and pop—brought down barriers both in music and society, and gave the world enduring hits such as ?Hit the Road Jack,? ?I Can’t Stop Loving You? and ?Georgia on My Mind.? His friend and protégé, Ellis Hall, whose Ray Charles concerts have thrilled audiences from the Kennedy Center to the Hollywood Bowl, joins the Pops on March 25, 2012, for one night only in celebration of this American music icon. Mr. Hall has the honor of being the only other artist other than the great soul legend himself to be signed to Mr. Charles’ label, Crossover Records. As a musician, songwriter, arranger and producer, Mr. Hall has collaborated with some of the most iconic names in the business, including Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, John Mayer, Natalie Cole, Earth Wind & Fire and, of course, Ray Charles.

Bernadette Peters
April 20-22
John Morris Russell, conductor

The New York Times calls her ?a revelation.? The Emmy-nominated, Tony-winning reigning superstar of Broadway Bernadette Peters returns to Music Hall to close out the all-American 2011-2012 Cincinnati Pops Orchestra season. Maestro Erich Kunzel first introduced Ms. Peters to Cincinnati Pops audiences, and she last appeared with the Pops two decades ago. She has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and screen, in concert, and on recordings. She performs with the Pops, with JMR conducting the first half and Marvin Laird the second half, on April 20-22, 2012. One of Broadway’s brightest stars, Ms. Peters, received both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her critically acclaimed performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Song and Dance. In June 1999, Peters earned her second Tony Award, her third Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for her portrayal of Annie Oakley in one of Broadway’s most popular musicals, the smash Tony Award-winning hit Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun.

Visit the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at www.cincinnatipops.org for ticket information.