Quaker Valley High School will host Walt Maddox with his Sights and Sounds Review on Wednesday for a special concert, "Nat: A Tribute to Nat King Cole."

Maddox has been a performer for the past five decades and says this act is one of the highlights of his solo career. According to his website, Maddox has performed this tribute to Cole with the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall, and the Wheeling Symphony at the Capitol Music Hall, in addition to international venues.

Nat King Cole, whose music is remembered around the world, was born in Montgomery, AL, in 1919. Although he was an accomplished pianist, Cole is most loved for his baritone voice, to which Maddox will be paying tribute.

In addition to Maddox, high school music ensembles will open the night with
performances beginning at 7:30 pm in the Quaker Valley High School auditorium.

Matthew Boice, Quaker Valley’s Music Department Chairman, and Choral Director, said the Vocal Ensemble will be performing light jazz ballads, including L.O.V.E., as recorded by Natalie Cole, the daughter of the late Nat King Cole.

“Also opening for Walt will be other student organized bands,” Boice said.

Maddox is a Pittsburgh native and grew up in the historic Manchester neighborhood on the city’s North Side. In 1961 Maddox joined local doo-wop group The Marcels, and began touring the country.

The Marcels’ 1961 recording of Blue Moon sold over a million copies with it’s “Bomp-baba-bomp” update to the classic song.

“Walt has lived around Pittsburgh all his life. His children attended Quaker Valley High School,” Boice said.

Boice said Quaker Valley has had a few other big-name performances since he began teaching there.

“In 2003 we hosted Marvin Hamlisch for an afternoon,” Boice said.

“Our auditorium is in transition preparing for our spring musical and other productions,” Boice said, “but it will be clean and ready for the event.”

Tickets are $20, and a portion of the sales will benefit the Quaker Valley district music department.

For more information and to order tickets, contact 412-749-6040 or Matt Boice at
boicem@qvsd.org.