“A melody, a lyric, or a certain harmony can trigger memories,” says conductor Jeffrey Reed.
Reed has been bringing back the memories as music director of Orchestra Kentucky since he founded it in 2000. Sometimes combining classical and popular music, his concert presentations are singularly authentic, recreating the soundtracks of music’s greatest decades. From the 17th century to our time, his concerts celebrate anniversaries and music milestones, from Beethoven, Mahler and Stravinsky, to Elvis, The Beatles and The Carpenters, drawing on some of the nation’s brightest musical talent.
Reed has worked with Air Supply, Bill Gaither, BJ Thomas, Larry Gatlin, Paul Williams, Peter Tork, Glen Campbell, Keith Emerson, Neil Sedaka, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., Mary Wilson, Melissa Manchester, Chris Young, and many others in appearances with his own orchestra and orchestras in Milan (Italy), St. Petersburg (Russia), and South Korea. Reed has twice appeared with the Royal Philharmonic at London’s Royal Albert Hall at the specific request of Neil Sedaka.
In the United States, Jeffrey Reed has conducted the orchestras of Alabama, Augusta, Charleston, Detroit, Greensboro (NC), Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Omaha, Phoenix, Portland (ME), Quad Cities (IA), Sacramento, South Bend and Winston-Salem.
Reed has been involved in commissioning world premieres of classical works by legendary pop artists Neil Sedaka, Keith Emerson, Peter Tork, Jimmy Webb, and Italian pops sensation, Giovanni Allevi.
His programming has been nationally recognized. Bestselling author and marketer Seth Godin singled out Jeffrey Reed in his best-selling study of new creativity, “Small is the New Big.” Godin praised his “clever” concerts and praised the “totally different way” Reed approaches programming. Reed is the only musician featured in the book.
In 2015, the University of Louisville named Reed its Alumni Fellow for the School of Music in recognition of his distinguished work in his chosen field. In 2008, he received the Jefferson Award for public service in South Central Kentucky.
In addition to his work with Orchestra Kentucky, Reed served as principal guest conductor of Symphony Orchestra Augusta and has also served as music director of the North Charleston Pops and the Murfreesboro Symphony.
He is represented by agent Rachel Bowron.