The Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, on the campus of Buffalo State College, proudly announces the 2008-2009 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 performances by a cappella legends Take 6, guitar icon Earl Klugh; Louisiana blues phenom Marc Broussard; a Celtic Christmas celebration with Eileen Ivers; the new queen of bluegrass Rhonda Vincent; vocal great Steve Tyrell; nouveau flamenco guitarist extraordinaire Ottmar Liebert; and celebrated American folk legend Arlo Guthrie.

Tickets for the Great Performers series go on sale August 25 at 9:00 a.m. Continuing to be one of the best entertainment values in the area, the Performing Arts Center has priced all shows in the Great Performers Series between $30 and $37. With the Flex Pack, patrons can purchase any three or more Great Performers shows for as low as $27 each. Tickets may be purchased at the Rockwell Hall Box Office, 1300 Elmwood Ave. by calling 716-878-3005 or online at www.buffalostate.edu/pac. Box Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Take 6 brings their joyful celebration of the human voice, in six-part a cappella soul, to Rockwell Hall on Saturday, October 4. With ten Grammy awards under their belt, Take 6 is an aurally thrilling phenomenon. They have spent more than two decades crafting a series of records that defied easy categorization but instead embraced a broad cross-section of styles - soul, gospel, R&B, pop, jazz and more. Musically and spiritually, they've enriched the lives of every person they've come in contact with. Music legend Quincy Jones said simply, "Take 6 are the baddest vocal cats on the planet."

With tour stops all over the US and the world, Earl Klugh makes his Rockwell Hall debut on Saturday, November 8. One of the most in-demand live artists, Grammy-winning guitar icon Earl Klugh has a multi-million-selling career that spans 30 years and as many albums, including four #1s on Billboard's jazz chart and another 18 albums that charted in the Jazz Top Ten. This guitar legend just released The Spice of Life, his first full-production album in nine years, and the follow-up to his 2005 solo masterpiece, Naked Guitar, which drew Klugh's eleventh career Grammy nomination. His fingerstyle approach to playing the guitar pushes the instrument to its limits and prompted the Boston Globe to declare him "one of the most highly esteemed jazz guitarists in the world."

Atlantic Recording artist Marc Broussard will debut his highly anticipated upcoming CD Keep Coming Back at his Rockwell Hall show on Saturday, November 15. Marc Broussard is a self-proclaimed "white boy singing soul music," but that playfully dismissive tag doesn't do him justice. His music radiates soulful Louisiana blues, but his songs blend those influences with raucous rock 'n' roll to create unique and infectious music. Marc Broussard was seemingly destined for a life as a music man. As the son of Boogie Kings guitarist (and Louisiana Hall of Fame member) Ted Broussard, his upbringing in Lafayette, La., instilled in him an affinity for R&B alongside the Cajun trappings of southern Louisiana. He draws vocal and stylistic influence from Otis Redding and Brian McKnight while bearing the preternaturally gruff voice of John Hiatt or Dr. John.

The Performing Arts Center is thrilled to welcome back Celtic superstar Eileen Ivers and her band Immigrant Soul on Saturday, December 20. They will capture the spirit and magic of the season in their heartwarming holiday show. Each year, there is a great swell of anticipation for the grand celebrations surrounding Christmas in Ireland. There is the clamor and delight of Christmas Eve, the peace and beauty of Christmas Day and the lively parties the day after (St. Stephen's Day or Boxing Day) when the "Wren Boys" don their straw hats, dance at the crossroads, play their pipes, drums and fiddles and collect gifts for the less fortunate. Ivers shares these joyful Irish customs still enjoyed today. The program will feature traditional Irish songs, original tunes and holiday favorites specially arranged by Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul such as The Holly Tree, Don Oiche Ud i mBeithil (One Night in Bethlehem), Hark The Herald Angels (in traditional jig time), The Wexford Carol (12th century Irish Christmas Carol) and more.

The hardest working woman in bluegrass music is on the road in support of her new album Good Thing Going which has topped Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums Chart, Bluegrass Unlimited's Top 15 Bluegrass Albums Chart and Bluegrass Music Profile's Top 10 Bluegrass CDs Chart. Rhonda Vincent makes a stop at Rockwell Hall on Friday, January 23. Crowned the "New Queen of Bluegrass" by the Wall Street Journal Vincent infuses her golden voice with some all-star pickin' and playin'. Blending soul, intensity, and tenderness, Rhonda Vincent's unique brand of bluegrass is rich in tradition while remaining unmistakably modern. Among the most beloved figures in today's bluegrass scene, Vincent has earned an unprecedented seven consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, is a top concert and festival draw, and, with her road band The Rage supporting her, is one of the most dynamic and high-energy performers in any genre of music.

Steve Tyrell returns to Rockwell Hall on Friday, April 24 to celebrate his new CD Back to Bacharach, a very personal album that was "40 years in the making," according to the singer. Every recording artist has one album that they are destined to make - an album so singularly in-sync with their sensibility and history that its' making smacks of pure destiny. For Steve Tyrell - the distinguished Grammy winner and Emmy nominated purveyor of pop standards, as well as a behind the scenes impresario- that album is Back to Bacharach, a deeply personal collection of songs from the piano of Burt Bacharach and the pen of Hal David. Steve's own singular vocal style, drenched in the Texas tones of his sophisticated R&B approach, is perfectly suited to these great hits. He sings the songs exactly the way everyone wants to hear them.

After 23 releases and a stellar career enjoyed by few guitarists of our time, three-time Grammy nominee Ottmar Liebert, and his band Luna Negra, make their first appearance at Rockwell Hall on Saturday, May 2. Liebert's debut album sold double-platinum to become one of the best-selling guitar albums ever, redefining Flamenco music and marking Liebert as one of the most talented, influential and creative guitarists and performers to surface in years. Together with his touring and recording ensemble, Luna Negra ("Black Moon"), he has defined a style that became known as "Nouveau Flamenco", which mixes elements of flamenco with jazz, to make seductively sensual music that captures the spirit of romance.

The world's favorite folk artist makes his first appearance at Rockwell Hall on Wednesday, May 6. With a career that spans more than 40 years, Arlo Guthrie has carved his place in folk music history. His release of Alice's Restaurant in 1967 helped foster a new commitment among the '60s generation to social consciousness and activism. Born with a guitar in one hand and a harmonica in the other, Arlo is the eldest son of beloved American singer/writer/philosopher Woody Guthrie. Like his father, he brings a deeply rooted folk music sensibility infused with political and social commentary to his writing and performances. In addition to his accomplishments as a musician, playing the piano, six and twelve-string guitar, harmonica and a dozen other instruments, Arlo is a natural-born storyteller, whose tales and anecdotes figure prominently in his live performances.

The 2008-2009 Great Performers Series is sponsored by M&T Bank and WBFO.