Great Performers Series Announced

The Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, on the campus of Buffalo State, proudly announces the 2012–2013 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 music legend George Duke, a double-bill performance by the Victor Wooten Band and the Jimmy Herring Band; multi-Grammy winner Shawn Colvin; Canadian guitar phenomenon Jesse Cook; contemporary jazz legends Acoustic Alchemy; and ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro.

George Duke
Friday, November 9, 2012, at 8:00 p.m.
$40 Upper Tier; $35 Lower Tier
Opening the series on Friday, November 9, is one of the great musicians of our time, George Duke. An accomplished keyboardist, producer, arranger, bandleader, and composer, he has enjoyed an astounding career, taking part in hundreds of projects across every musical genre and receiving numerous Grammy awards and nominations. With a resume that spans more than 40 years, he has put out more than 30 albums, which have incorporated jazz, pop, Latin and R&B to critical and commercial success. A fan favorite of Buffalo audiences, Duke makes his first visit to Rockwell Hall.
 

Victor Wooten Band and Jimmy Herring Band
Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
$45 Upper Tier; $40 Lower Tier
The series continues on Saturday, November 17 with a double bill featuring the world’s most amazing electric bassist— the versatile Victor Wooten and his band–plus Jimmy Herring—lead guitarist for Widespread Panic, Aquarium Rescue Unit, and Jazz Is Dead–who will lead his own group. Expect an explosive evening of jamming rock and soul with plenty of instrumental fireworks. A full two decades after they toured the Southeast on the first H.O.R.D.E. tour in 1992, Wooten and Herring have come together to tour the Northeast with over three hours of live music. This concert will be one of the most anticipated and electrifying musical experiences of 2012. Jimmy Herring’s new album, Subject to Change Without Notice, releases August 21, 2012, while Victor Wooten’s two new albums Words & Tones and Sword & Stone arrive in September.

Shawn Colvin
Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
$35 Upper Tier; $30 Lower Tier
On Sunday, December 16, the Performing Arts Center welcomes three-time Grammy Award-winner Shawn Colvin. Best known for her hit single "Sunny Came Home," her new album, All Fall Down, effortlessly combines folk, country, rock and blues into a sound that transcends categorization. Colvin will be performing a solo acoustic set. The beauty and tenderness of Colvin's performances showcase her inimitable voice and matchless guitar style and are a perfect match for the intimate setting of Rockwell Hall. Her songs are works of craft and catharsis that become treasured, lifetime companions for their listeners.


Jesse Cook
Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
$35 Upper Tier; $30 Lower Tier
Award-winning guitar phenomenon Jesse Cook returns to Rockwell Hall on Thursday, January 17, with the Blue Guitar Tour in support of his eighth studio album. Jesse’s fiery, passionate, and percussive guitar work, Moorish rhythms, and smoldering onstage charisma drives audiences wild. Based in Toronto, he has been recording and performing music internationally for over 17 years. His flawless technique, passionate riffs, and soulful artistry make him a Buffalo favorite.

Acoustic Alchemy
Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
$35 Upper Tier; $30 Lower Tier
The Performing Arts Center is pleased to present contemporary jazz legends Acoustic Alchemy on Saturday, March 23, 2013. For nearly 25 years, Acoustic Alchemy has pushed the limits of the acoustic guitar’s potential by embracing a spectrum of musical styles ranging from straightahead jazz to folk to rock to world music and beyond. Acoustic Alchemy have established themselves as an ever evolving, powerhouse force in contemporary jazz with Grammy nominations and thousands of fans worldwide. The trademark two-guitar attack of Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale makes their music instantly recognizable.
 

Jake Shimabukuro
Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
$35 Upper Tier; $30 Lower Tier
The Performing Arts Center will host young ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro on Saturday, April 20. Shimabukuro (she-ma-BOOkoo-row) is recognized as one of the world's most exciting and innovative ukulele players and composers. This YouTube sensation has swept onto the international stage and toured with BeÍa Fleck & the Flecktones, collaborated with Ziggy Marley and is a semi-regular member of Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefers band. With his light-speed finger work, deep musicality and natural entertainer’s flair, he plays original pieces and covers songs by artists ranging from Bach to Michael Jackson.
The 2012-2013 Great Performers Series is sponsored by M&T Bank.

Tickets
Tickets for the Great Performers series go on sale Monday, August 27, at 9:00 a.m. All shows in the Great Performers Series are priced between $45 and $30. Tickets may be purchased at the Rockwell Hall Box Office, 1300 Elmwood Ave., by calling (716) 878-3005, or online at www.buffalostatepac.org. Box office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Flex Pack
Buy any three or more Great Performers Shows for only $32 each in Lower Tier seating
or $27 each for Upper Tier seating.

Senior Discount
Patrons aged 60 and older take $3 off the price of Upper Tier tickets.

Student Rush
One-hour prior to curtain, full-time students with proper ID can purchase one ticket for $15.