The pianist

Pianist and conductor Peter Nero is a master of blending the genres of jazz and classical music. The Grammy Award-winning musician and former director of the Philly Pops visits Folsom's Harris Center for the Arts this week for two nights of performances. A Tuesday-night show titled Peter Nero: The Gershwin Project pays tribute to arguably the most famous musician to blend jazz and classical music, George Gershwin. Nero's Wednesday-night performance, Peter Nero: Classic Connections, also features popular jazz standards arranged and played in a classical fashion. His virtuosic piano playing can sound as if he's two pianists playing at the same time—perhaps something like what Bill Evans or Art Tatum might have sounded like if they'd lived longer and played more classical music. Tuesday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m.; $29-$49. Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom; (916) 608-6888; www.harriscenter.net.