Friday, January 23, 2026
6:00 pm

Tryon Fine Arts Center

Casual Fridays tickets are sold separately. Prices are $20 for adults ($25 after September 30th) and $8 for students.

William Bares, Piano

William Bares is a noted jazz pianist who has performed to great acclaim in New York, Boston, and Europe. As an active member of Asheville’s musical community, he performed solo piano in the Blue Ridge Orchestra’s debut of “Rhapsody in Blue,” hosted the weekly Sunday Jazz Showcase at Asheville’s Isis Music Hall and continues to perform and record with his modern jazz group, The Core. Mr. Bares serves on the faculty of UNC-Asheville.

Justin Ray, Trumpet

Justin Ray has performed professionally for more than twenty years. In 2003, he accepted an offer from Warner Bros. to appear with Michael Bublé as instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. Mr. Ray gained a reputation for a fiery and compelling style and has appeared at Madison Square Garden, the Sydney Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl. TV appearances include The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Saturday Night Live.