Thursday, December 17, 2009

SFJAZZ pays tribute to McCoy Tyner

Jazz Times calls SFJAZZ Collective's 2009 tribute to McCoy Tyner one of the finest jazz recordings of the year.  (The other recording receiving that honor is the latest from the Monterey Jazz ensemble, performing at the ASC on Feb. 28.)



http://jazztimes.com/articles/25447-live-2009-sfjazz-collective



Don't miss jazz legend McCoy Tyner live at the ASC on January 29th.  He'll be joined on stage by dance sensation Savion Glover for a show so cool, you've just got to see it!  Read more at http://alysstephens.uab.edu/events/?id=34

Friday, December 11, 2009

Why Is Los Lobos One of the Coolest Bands on the Planet?



Check out this story from Food for Thought to find out...

http://anewscafe.com/2009/12/10/jims-picks-los-lobos-tonight/

Great seats are still available for their January 22nd show at the ASC.  (Great idea for a Christmas gift!)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Get ready to roll down the aisles in laughter! Chicago City Limits comes this Sunday!

Stressed due to work? School finals? Last minute shopping? And, of course, gearing up to see all of your family this holiday season? Then have we got a show for you!



Straight from New York City, Chicago City Limits, a national favorite improv group is heading our way this Sunday!

Audiences and critics agree, Chicago City Limits is "Ingenious and very, very funny!” (The New York Times) "Hilarious!" (New York Daily News) "The best in improvisational comedy! This intelligent bunch of comedic nuts will have you rolling in the aisles.” (WNYC TV)

Tickets start at only $25--and there are two shows available this Sunday, December 13th, at 2:30pm and again at 7:30pm! Tickets are running fast, so hurry and pick yours up for a rip-roaring good time!

Calling all Actors! Don't miss out on Chicago City Limits' own personal Improv Workshop especially for you! Contact the Box Office (205-975-ARTS) for more information!

Friday, December 4, 2009

The Flecktones bring tour back to the U.S.

Article by BRITTANY FORRESTAL for Variety magazine

For the past 20 years, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones have become one of the most prolific bands in the history of American music. The group has released 13 albums - two of which have reached number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart - and has won four Grammy awards since 1997.

However, the band fronted by Fleck, widely considered one of the greatest living banjo players, has received praise in genres beyond jazz and is known for blending a variety of popular musical styles into something new all their own.

"We are so excited by so many different kinds of music -- it has been hard to restrict ourselves," Fleck said. "We don't think much about crossover appeal in terms of the 'biz," but we do want our music to reach out to people."

Fleck added that the band's tendency toward instrumental music stems from the same sentiment.

"It allows the listener to have a different experience, more personal I think because people have been making instrumental music for a long time, and for good reason," he said. "Removing vocals from the equation allows the listener to have his own interpretation of what the music means."

The Flecktones, whose members are Fleck, renowned bassist Victor Wooten, percussionist Roy "Future Man" Wooten and saxophonist Jeff Coffin, has seen several line-up shifts since its formation in 1989. Founding member Howard Levy, who played harmonica and keys, left the band in 1993, and Coffin splits his time playing with The Flecktones and Dave Matthews Band. Last month, however, all five band members reunited for a European tour.

"It was really interesting to play music from 1988 to 1992, our first musical offerings," he said. "And [Levy] is an inspiring guy. The crowds were great and it was a trip to go back in time."

The band is now bringing the tour back to the United States, and the set list will consist of songs from "Jingle All the Way," the group's first Christmas album that was released last year.

The album is one of the band's two chart-topping records. Fleck said working with such classic and beloved holiday songs was a change from the band's usual creative process.

"We didn't write the music [and] this allowed us to collaborate in a new way because when someone brings their song into the group, they tend to have a leadership role in the arranging," he said.

And, even though a 20-year tenure means an undoubtedly crazy history of touring, writing and recording, Fleck said the band sees no need to take a break from its fast-paced lifestyle.

"We are all at a peak time, and I don't see a reason to stop. Some things we will do separately [as solo projects] and some together," he said. "Right now we are together and it is very special."

Original Article Source

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Hand In Paw to bring their own pups to Yuletide in Dogtown!



Hand In Paw, a non-profit organization that offers "professionally trained handler and animal therapy teams to help people heal physically and emotionally", will be present in the lobby with their therapy dogs after each Yuletide in Dogtown performance!

Holiday treats and cookies will also be provided after the show!

Tickets are still available, and they're just $8! Yuletide in Dogtown is an original Alys Stephens Center production that will take place on Saturday, December 5th, with two shows: 10am & 11:30am!

Don't forget to bring your cameras to take pictures with all of the show's characters after each show!

Buy tickets for the 10 a.m. show

Buy tickets for the 11:30 a.m. show

Watch video from the show!

Tuvan throat singers Alash Ensemble join Bela Fleck at the Alys Stephens Center!



In a recent development, the internationally acclaimed Tuvan throat singers Alash Ensemble will be joining Bela Fleck and the Flecktones for their holiday show on December 9th at 7pm! This is a chance to see two amazing performances in the same night!

Don't miss this rare opporunity to see the tremendously talented Alash Ensemble, so call to get your tickets today! (205) 975-ARTS or toll free at 1-877-ART-TIKS