Sat 12/7 @ 7:30PM
It’s almost a given that Jim Brickman will be coming home to Cleveland to do a show for the holidays at PlayhouseSquare. He seldom misses a season. This will be his 18th Magic of Christmas tour.
The Shaker Heights High School grad headed out to Los Angeles to seek fame and fortune after studying at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve, and he certainly found it.
Initially finding success as a composer for commercials, he signed with new age label Windham Hill in the mid ’90s and began releasing album of his lush piano pop.
He increased his accessibility and his audience even more when he worked with a series of pop, country, and soul singers with people like Donny Osmond, Martina McBride, Johnny Mathis, and his frequent collaborator and former Shaker Heights High classmate Anne Cochran adding vocals to his tracks — mostly romantic ballads.
He’s also a radio host, has made a series of PBS specials, and has a company that does marketing for other artists. He knows how to build and maintain a career.
Whether you like his somewhat schlocky music or not, his Christmas shows are friendly and appealing, with guest vocalists and soloists sure to include Cochran. He’s an amiable performer without pretentions who delivers an entertaining show.
He’ll be at PlayhouseSquare’s Palace Theatre.
Tickets are $10-$75.