Show Pianist Ryan Ahern Set to Dazzle Bay Area Wit

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- If Liberace and Brian Setzer had a baby and named Jerry Lee Lewis the godfather, he might electrify audiences worldwide in the same mode as award-winning show pianist Ryan Ahern, who has been rousing audiences in Las Vegas and in top cruise line showrooms for the past 10 years. Ahern, who Billboard magazine hails as one of the top 10 instrumentalists in the country, will make his fall Bay Area debut at San Francisco’s Herbst Theater on October 12 and at San Jose’s Hammer Theatre on September 22. These performances will precede his first PBS special, set to air in November, and his 2019 Asia tour, which will take him and his eight-piece band to China, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia. He will be filming his second PBS special in Las Vegas in January.

Bay Area music fans will have a chance to experience Ahern’s thrilling musicianship – boogie-woogie foot stompers, powerful, melodic Oscar winning movie themes (including Disney films), contemporary spins on 50s and 60s rock and roll, and hard-hitting hits from Maroon 5, Queen and Ray Charles – just some of the musical style variety that will take his audiences on an intoxicating journey.

Ahern’s world-class technical chops , and his proficiency at no less than eight instruments (including his vocal talents ), are the backbone of his performances – which is evident right from the downbeat to his overwhelming, big finish standing ovations.

Initially taking up drums at the age of eight, Ahern began piano lessons after seeing Jerry Lee Lewis perform when he was 12. Ahern has gone on to be a two-time, first place winner of the International Liberace Piano Competition, recipient of the Crystal Piano award and was named Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year by the South Bay Music Awards. Having performed in over 100 countries, his hit headliner show, PIANO! LAS VEGAS at Planet Hollywood, catapulted him into the spotlight beginning with its run in 2011.

“I’ve sailed into the Port of San Francisco many times and love my Bay Area fans who’ve seen me in Vegas and at my cruise ship shows,” says Ahern. “I’m thrilled to be able to perform here and I’d love to make the Bay Area part of my regular touring schedule, I hope it will be my stop before every Asia tour in the future.”

For more information visit www.ryanahern.com and www.facebook.com/pianolasvegas

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...376ee596be