After two successful concert performances in 2023 and 2024, “Days of our Lives” executive producer Ken Corday is returning to the stage with his third benefit concert series, “Songs Without Words,” featuring a new collection of completely original works.
For three nights only (Wednesday, November 4; Friday, November 6; and Saturday, November 7), the award-winning producer, composer, and pianist can be seen in the intimate setting of the legendary and historic Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, CA, where he’ll perform select songs from his original music with surprise special guests introducing him each evening.
“It has always been deeply rewarding for me to share my music with an audience. What makes these performances especially meaningful is the opportunity to do what I love while supporting an organization that makes a tangible difference in our community. Music has a unique ability to bring people together, and knowing this concert can have a meaningful impact beyond the stage is incredibly fulfilling,” said Corday in a statement. “Returning to this repertoire after taking two years for reflection and writing has also given me a renewed perspective. It’s like revisiting a favorite book and discovering passages you never noticed before. I hope that renewed sense of discovery, together with the addition of new works, allows both familiar and new music to resonate with audiences in a fresh and meaningful way.”
All proceeds from ticket sales for the concert series will go to benefit the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Assistance Program, which provides critical financial support to SAG-AFTRA artists who are experiencing extreme or unexpected financial hardships.
Tickets may be purchased starting Tuesday, September 8, through the Garry Marshall ticketing office at (818) 955-8101 or GarryMarshallTheatre.org.
Samples of Corday’s music can be discovered through Spotify. You can also play some of his songs below.
About Ken Corday / SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Though best known as the executive producer of “Days of our Lives,” the long-running daytime drama series produced by his family-owned company, Corday Productions, Inc., Corday taught himself to play the piano by creating and practicing his own music at the age of six, which later caught the attention of Professor Tanamichi Sogito who, impressed by Corday’s music, offered to take him on as a student at the age of eight at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City. As a teenager, Corday developed a love for the drums and went on to play in many rock groups, culminating in a tour with Lucky Mud throughout the Southwest, the Bay Area, and Hawaii.
In 1973, Corday enrolled at UCSC (University of California, Santa Cruz) and studied Jazz improvisation and ethnomusicology. His mentor, Professor Randy Masters, introduced him to modern Jazz, especially Brazilian new beat (Bossa Nova) music, and Afro-Cuban rhythms and cadences.
After graduating in 1975 with a B.A. in music, Corday continued his Post-Graduate Studies at San Jose State University, where his piano playing flourished under the tutelage of Lou Harrison and Higo Hirada. In 1977, he earned a master’s degree in music, and later that same year, Ken launched his composing career in television, specifically for “Days of our Lives,” where he continues to compose the show’s music. Throughout the years, Corday has earned six Emmy Awards for music composition. His musical influences include American contemporary music, ranging from classical to gospel to country. He enjoys music that people can participate in rather than just listen to, and believes the simplest music is often the most memorable.
Following two successful concert series in 2023 and 2024, Corday returns to the Gary Marshall stage in Burbank, CA, performing a new collection of his own original music to benefit SAG-AFTRA’s Foundation and the important work they continue to do for the community. Speaking of the Foundation, its Emergency Financial Assistance Program provides a vital safety net for SAG-AFTRA artists experiencing extreme financial hardship. Through emergency grants, the Foundation helps performers remain in their homes, cover essential medical expenses, put food on the table, and keep the lights on, offering stability and hope during times of crisis.
For more information about the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, click here. You can also learn more about Corday’s music by visiting KenCordayMusic.com.
