October 17, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Best selling piano recording artist Emile Pandolfi will bring his lush, intricate arrangements of Broadway musical and standard favorites to Birmingham at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, for a concert benefitting the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Diabetes Center.

The benefit, hosted by Forsyth Donald, Pat and Ross Forman, and Penny and Ruffner Page, includes cocktails and hors d' oeuvres at 6 p.m., and will be held at The Club. Tickets are $150 each and must be purchased in advance by calling 205-996-6839.

Solo pianist Emile Pandolfi has been described as having "monster technique, an unparalleled musical sensitivity and a passionate soul." His musical arrangements have been called incredibly romantic. He's also been described as a really funny guy with a great sense of comedic timing.

Trained in classical piano from the age of five, Pandolfi applies his life-long classical education to his arrangements of songs by Lloyd-Webber, Rogers & Hammerstein, and Mancini. The result is an emotional experience that keeps his fans coming back for more.

Recording since 1991, sales of his CDs of show tunes and pop standards are approaching three million. With almost 30 recordings in his solo discography he is ranked as one of today's best-selling pianists in the alternative music industry.

The UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center has thrived on the generosity of the community and the determination of expert researchers and physicians to make strides in treating diabetes and bring hope for a cure. Groundbreaking research has been done in immunity and autoimmunity, examining the biological mechanisms that cause diabetes, experimenting with new treatments and even successfully transplanting healthy islet cells into the body of a diabetic patient. The fundraiser will benefit ongoing research and clinical initiatives in the quest to treat and, hopefully, one day cure diabetes.