A sold-out Carnegie Hall came together on March 12, 2026 for Michael Dorf Presents: The 21st Annual Music Of tribute concert, celebrating the catalog of legendary musician Billy Joel, who made a surprise appearance in the audience for the evening, honoring his iconic songbook. Among those in attendance was global superstar P!NK, joining the Carnegie Hall audience for the special tribute. The annual event once again brought together an extraordinary lineup of artists performing Joel’s beloved songs while raising funds for music education programs.
Backed by Billy Joel’s touring band, serving as the evening’s house band and led by Joel’s longtime musical director and keyboardist David Rosenthal, the full ensemble featured Mark Rivera, Crystal Taliefero, Tommy Byrnes, Andy Cichon, Chuck Burgi, and Carl Fischer. Together they supported an extraordinary lineup of artists performing Joel’s beloved songs, including Rob Thomas, Alexa Ray Joel, Pat Monahan (Train), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Marc Roberge (O.A.R.), Ledisi, Lawrence, Natalie Merchant, Curtis Harding, Matt Nathanson, Itzhak Perlman, Wyclef Jean featuring students from Music Will, Rufus Wainwright, Andrew McMahon (Jack’s Mannequin), Gavin DeGraw, Bettye LaVette, Yola, Sammy Rae, Neal Francis, and Jon McLaughlin.
The evening held special significance with Joel himself in the room as artists reimagined songs that have defined generations of music fans.
The night opened with Michael Dorf welcoming the audience before Yola launched the concert with “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song).” Throughout the evening, artists delivered memorable interpretations of Joel’s catalog, including Rob Thomas performing “Vienna,” Pat Monahan with “She’s Always a Woman,” Mary Chapin Carpenter’s moving rendition of “And So It Goes,” Matt Nathanson performing “I Go to Extremes” and “Miami 2017 (Lights Go Out on Broadway),” Jon McLaughlin with “Everybody Loves You Now,” and Alexa Ray Joel performing “This Night.”
Additional highlights included Rufus Wainwright performing “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel),” Ledisi delivering a soulful version of Joel’s recent single “Turn the Lights Back On,” and a special collaboration between Marc Roberge and legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman on “The Downeaster Alexa.” Bettye LaVette performed “He’s Got a Way,” followed by a solo piano sonata interpretation of “The Longest Time” by David Rosenthal.
Continuing the long-standing tradition of spotlighting a beneficiary organization during the concert, Wyclef Jean performed “My Life” alongside students from the music education nonprofit Music Will. The evening continued with Neal Francis performing “Stiletto,” Sammy Rae with “River of Dreams” and “Get It Right the First Time,” Natalie Merchant performing “Allentown,” The Billy Joel Band and Dan Orlando performing “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” Curtis Harding with “Uptown Girl,” Gavin DeGraw performing “Big Shot,” and Lawrence with “Only the Good Die Young.”
The concert culminated with Andrew McMahon (Jack’s Mannequin) leading the audience in a sing-along performance of “Piano Man,” before the full cast returned to the stage for an encore performance of “You May Be Right.”
The event followed a sold-out live rehearsal show at City Winery New York on March 11, offering fans an intimate preview of the performances the night before Carnegie Hall.
Together, the two sold-out performances welcomed more than 3,500 attendees and raised over $225,000 to support music education initiatives — marking the largest fundraising total in the event’s history.
