The Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, on the campus of Buffalo State College, proudly announces the 2003-2004 Great Performers Series, presented by M&T Bank. The Great Performers Series features world-class artists in the intimate setting of Rockwell Hall.

The series includes pop culture icon Kenny Kramer in his show Kramer on Seinfeld, rising jazz star Lizz Wright, famed a cappella sensations Rockapella, popular Canadian celtic group the Barra MacNeils, one of America?s premiere instrumental ensembles the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, jazz vocal greats Steve Tyrell and Karrin Allyson on a shared bill, famed Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers, and legendary singer songwriter Janis Ian.

Tickets for the Great Performers series go on sale August 25. The Performing Arts Center is offering a Flex Pack. Patrons can purchase any three Great Performers shows for $69, a savings of up to 24% off regular ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased at the Rockwell Hall Box Office, 1300 Elmwood Ave. or by calling 716-878-3005. Box Office hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. More information is available online at www.buffalostate.edu/pac.

Kenny Kramer, the world's most popular next-door neighbor, and inspiration for Seinfeld?s Cosmo Kramer, brings his muti-media stage spectacular, Kramer on Seinfeld, to Rockwell Hall on Friday, October 3. His appearance is part of Buffalo State College?s homecoming festivities. Kenny has transformed his world famous New York Reality Tour into a multi-media stage show featuring rare videos and hilarious anecdotes that provides a romp through what is factual and fantasy in the world of Seinfeld. Find out how Seinfeld came to be, who the characters are based on and how some of Kramer?s real life adventures became episodes and story lines in the world?s most popular sitcom. After Kramer, watching Seinfeld will never be the same!

On Saturday, October 25, Rockwell Hall welcomes Lizz Wright, one of the jazz vocal scene?s hottest new talents. Her gospel-infused style, evoking thoughts of such artists as Sarah Vaughan and Oleta Adams, is creating a buzz in the jazz world. Her first demo tape provoked a flurry of interest and, prompted The Verve Music Group to sign her ? welcoming her to the label of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and Diana Krall. Her debut album on Verve was released to great critical acclaim. Her unique style draws upon influences in jazz, folk, R&B, neo-soul, and gospel. Lizz Wright's extraordinary honeyed alto, soulful charisma and rare honesty add up to the intangible and instantly recognizable star quality and offers great promise for the future of jazz and the art of the song.

On Saturday, November 15, Rockwell Hall welcomes the undisputed kings of contemporary a cappella music, Rockapella. What began as a few men on a New York City street corner, is now the top dog in contemporary a cappella. Rockapella?s audience - a mix of families, young and old alike, is drawn to the humor, style and artistry of this unique group that combines soul, rock, r&b, and jazz. Millions of Americans discovered Rockapella on the hit television show Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? Since then, the group has toured the United States and Japan, selling out concerts and appearing on national commercials including the popular Folgers coffee campaign. "Some say the best musical instrument of all is the human voice," writes USA Today. "If you've seen Rockapella, you know that's the truth."

In the spirit of the holiday season, the Performing Arts Center is pleased to present the Barra MacNeils Celtic Christmas on Tuesday, December 16. The Barra MacNeils are four siblings that grew up in the heart of Celtic tradition on Nova Scotia?s Cape Breton Island. Kyle, Lucy, Sheumas, and Stewart MacNeil all sing and play a range of traditional Celtic instruments. They?ve been stars of the Canadian traditional music scene since 1986, but they venture south of the border only occasionally. Come and celebrate the joys and peace of Christmas, Cape Breton style, with the Barra MacNeil family.

After an appearance on the Rockwell Hall stage during 2002 Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival, the Performing Arts Center is pleased to welcome back the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet on Friday, March 12. Recognized as one of America's premier instrumental ensembles, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet is one of the most charismatic groups performing today. Popularly known as the LAGQ, these four virtuosi bring a new energy to the concert stage with their eclectic programs and dynamic musical interplay. Their most recent release LAGQ - Latin features their popular transcription of Bizet's Carmen, along with works from Chile, Cuba and some new original works.

On Friday, April 16 the Performing Arts Center presents a powerhouse double-bill of vocal jazz with Steve Tyrell and Karrin Allyson. A 40-year veteran of the music industry, Steve Tyrell is best known for his work as a composer, producer and music supervisor for movie soundtracks. His production credits include the hits "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" and "Hooked On A Feeling". As a songwriter, Steve has written some of the biggest hits in popular music. The Grammy-winning smash, "Somewhere Out There" from An American Tail, the chart-topping "How Do You Talk To An Angel," and he co-produced Linda Ronstadt's Grammy-winning singles "Don't Know Much" (a duet with Aaron Neville) and "Somewhere Out There" (a duet with James Ingram). His vocal career took off while working on the Father of the Bride soundtrack with Steve Martin. Tyrell?s rendition of "The Way You Look Tonight" launched his singing career. His two albums since have been a fixture on top of the jazz charts. A critically-acclaimed international recording artist, Karrin Allyson is a widely accomplished jazz singer in her own right who has received rave reviews around the nation. With a broad repertoire, brilliant improvisational style and a slender, sunny voice, she is one of the most dynamic and creative vocalists of our day. An extensive touring schedule of passionate and inspired performances and two Grammy nominations has vaulted Karrin Allyson into greater prominence as jazz lovers everywhere latch on to this ever-growing talent.

Best known as the fiery violinist with the Broadway show Riverdance, Eileen Ivers returns to Rockwell Hall on Saturday, May 1. She's been called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by the New York Times. "She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing" says the Irish Times. Ivers' recording credits include over 80 albums and numerous movie scores. Her latest CD, entitled Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, continues to display why Ivers is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music genres. She creates a program that showcases a unique Irish-fusion sound, drawing upon jazz, rock, salsa and funk influences while remaining true to Celtic traditions.

On Thursday, May 6 Rockwell Hall welcomes legendary singer songwriter Janis Ian for a rare area appearance. A professional singer/songwriter for nearly forty years, Janis Ian has made 17 albums and had her songs recorded by everyone from Stan Getz to Bette Midler, from Glen Campbell to Vanilla Fudge, from Cher to Hugh Masakela, from Joan Baez to Etta James. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, her stellar music career includes 9 Grammy nominations and 3 awards. Janis Ian burst onto the national scene when she was only 14 years old with her hit song "Society's Child." While she's most often thought of as a folk musician, something reinforced by her 1975 hit, "At Seventeen," her recordings and songs have spanned jazz, disco, rock, and country genres, and made herone of the most important composer-performers of our time.

The 2003-2004 Great Performers Series is sponsored by M&T Bank, WBFO and The Buffalo News.