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Michael Dorf Presents The 21st Annual Charity
Concert:
The Music of Billy Joel
Initial Line-up Announcement Featuring:
Rob Thomas, Alexa Ray Joel, Pat Monahan
(Train), Gavin DeGraw, Marc Roberge, Matt Nathanson, Rufus
Wainwright, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tanya Tucker, The War And
Treaty, Joy Oladokun, and Bettye LaVette
More Artists To Be Announced
March 12, 2026, Carnegie Hall, New York City
Completely Sold Out — The Only Remaining
Ticket Access Is Through the Live Rehearsal at City Winery
on March 11 - Available Now at Musicof.org
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Michael Dorf Presents announces the 21st
annual Music
Of tribute
concert – this year celebrating the timeless catalog of Billy
Joel –
taking place at the legendary Carnegie
Hall on March 12, 2026.
The event continues Dorf’s beloved tradition of honoring
iconic artists through a night of remarkable performances
while raising funds for music education.
From his 1971 debut Cold
Spring Harbor to
chart-topping hits like “Piano Man,” “Just the Way You Are,”
“New York State of Mind,” and “Scenes from an Italian
Restaurant,” Billy Joel’s songwriting has defined
generations. His masterful ability to blend rock, pop, and
storytelling has earned him six Grammy Awards, induction
into both the Songwriters and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame, and
the enduring title of “The Piano Man.”
This year’s concert will feature Billy
Joel’s full eight-piece touring band as
the evening’s house band, led by Joel’s longtime musical
director and keyboardist David
Rosenthal.
It will also include his longest-standing band member Mark
Rivera as
well as Crystal
Taliefero, Tommy Byrnes, Andy Cichon, Chuck Burgi, Carl
Fischer, and Mike
DelGuidice,
bringing the authentic sound and spirit of Joel’s live
performances to Carnegie Hall. Joining the lineup are Rob
Thomas, Alexa Ray Joel, Pat Monahan (Train), Gavin DeGraw,
Marc Roberge, Matt Nathanson, Rufus Wainwright, Mary Chapin
Carpenter, Tanya Tucker, The War And Treaty, Joy Oladokun, and Bettye
LaVette, with
more artists to be announced in the coming weeks.
This year marks a historic first for the
Music Of series, with all GA
& VIP tickets completely sold out before a single performer
was announced,
demonstrating the enduring cultural relevance of Billy
Joel’s music and the trust fans have placed in this series
to deliver exceptional nights in support of a great cause.
The only
remaining opportunity to
be part of the celebration is through the exclusive
live rehearsal show on March 11th at City Winery,
featuring select performers previewing their songs in an
intimate setting. A very
limited number of tickets to
the rehearsal are available now at musicof.org.
Now entering its third decade, Dorf’s Music
Of series has become one of New York’s most anticipated
annual musical events. Since its inception in 2004, the
series has honored Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Prince, Bob
Dylan, Joni Mitchell, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin,
Van Morrison, R.E.M., David Byrne, and Patti Smith, among
others.
As Michael Dorf approaches the 40th
anniversary of his prolific career in live music production
— which began with the founding of The Knitting Factory in
1986 and expanded with City Winery — this event underscores
his continued commitment to supporting music education.
These sold-out shows have not only celebrated
musical greatness, but directed 100% of all net proceeds –
$100,000 annually and over $2 million in total – to a
diverse group of non-profit organizations dedicated to music
education. These beneficiaries include Music Will (formerly
Little Kids Rock), Young Audiences NY, FIXS, Church Street
School of Music, Partnership with Children, D’Addario
Foundation, Save the Music, Midori & Friends, Grammy in the
Schools, the Orchestra Now, and the Newport Jazz Kids.
100% of all net proceeds from The Music of
Billy Joel will once again benefit these and other music
education programs, helping to ensure that the next
generation of musicians can continue to thrive.
About Michael Dorf Presents
Established by Michael Dorf in 2003, founder of the Knitting
Factory and City Winery, MDP has been presenting the Music
Of series at Carnegie Hall for 20 years. Working alongside
Michael for the last 18 years has been Shlomo Lipetz,
President of Venues at City Winery.
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