Celebrating works in music and in life

“I would like to introduce you to my best friend since I was 3,”

offered Roger Williams, composer, pianist and headline entertainer

for the Big Canyon/Spyglass Hill Philharmonic Society luncheon.

Williams tapped on the piano, and the crowd applauded. Williams

donated his best friend Steinway to the Ronald Reagan Presidential

Library after a world-record setting 12 and a half hours at the

keyboard. It was surely only a metaphor of his accomplished life.

Williams, considered one of the American pop music legends of the

20th century, holds the record as the greatest selling pianist in

history. Williams’ 115th album has been released on the Gold Label.

He came to Orange County at the invitation of Jo Anne Mix, Jacque

Heebner, Ollie Hill and Pat Lane, organizers of the 2003 Big

Canyon/Spyglass Hill Philharmonic Society luncheon at the Sutton

Place Hotel, Newport Beach. For an hour and one half his audience was

spellbound by the music and the man.

“Williams played “Autumn Leaves,” and a sigh was audible across

the ballroom,” Newport’s Gloria Gae Gellman said.

The composer told the crowd that “Autumn Leaves,” recorded in

1955, had been his first hit. His version became a classic and stands

today as the greatest selling piano recording of all time.

“Autumn leaves keep falling,” Williams said. “They’ve been very

good to me.”

“Williams is so much more than just a gifted pianist,” vice-chair

Heebner said. “He is a remarkable human being, and we are so proud to

have him grace our event.”

Heebner went on to speak of William’s work with children, bringing

music into schools all over the nation. In many ways, Williams was a

perfect fit for the local organization dedicated to opening up

musical worlds for local students.

“Young people are the future, and what could be a richer reward

than empowering them to be the best they can possibly be,” Heebner

said.

Local support for the luncheon came from Shirley Nagel, Ann Stern,

Donna Davidson, Ellen Liefer, Barbara Taylor, Donna Shubin, Nona

Demetre, Carolyn Luypen and Sharon Moore. Others giving of their

time, talent and resources to provide the gift of music in schools

are Balboa’s Mary Ann Miller, Newport’s Oliva Chami, Pat Cranford,

Jackie Lokka, Joyce Reaume and Linda Wheeler.

A fabulous luncheon was served by Sutton Place.

Williams entertained, interspersing his beautiful music with

poignant and personal stories of a remarkable career. The father of

three and grandfather of six, who has appeared on nearly 150 airings

of Robert Schuller’s “Hour of Power,” is proud of his artistic and

commercial success and honored by his influence and effect on the

lives of those touched by his music.

He shared a story that came from Glenn Ballantyne, a teacher and

composer living in Pueblo, Colo. Ballantyne had been involved in a

Williams performance and fund-raiser that had changed the life of one

child in particular. The mother of an 11-year old boy called

Ballantyne to share that after Williams performance her son displayed

an interest never seen before.

“Every morning at breakfast my son ate in silence,” she said. “He

answered questions with yes and no responses. But the day after he

attended Roger’s performance, my son talked about the music, and he

said that he had researched Williams on the Internet.”

Williams has been an inspiration to countless fans, young and old,

over a long and varied career. He surely captivated another audience

in Newport, including a surprise celebrity guest seated among the

Philharmonic ladies.

Priscilla Presley came to support her longtime friend Williams,

and she gave him a well-deserved ovation with the rest of the local

crowd.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.