Supafunkrock, Jazz, Latin, Celtic and Classical Music on Tap at Singletary

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 28, 2014) — The University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts kicks off its 2014-15 Singletary Signature Series with the man behind the Supafunkrock sound, Trombone Shorty, in a season that also includes performances from popular jazz, Latin and classical artists as well as a holiday program with Celtic flair. All tickets to Trombone Shorty, Branford Marsalis, Diego Garcia, Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" and Joshua Bell are on sale now.

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Trombone Shorty performing "Fire & Brimstone." A transcript of this video can be found here.

The 2014-15 season will open in September with Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is a rare artist who can draw both the unqualified respect of jazz legends and deliver a high-energy show capable of mesmerizing audiences worldwide. With an unprecedented mix of rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop and soul, he had to create his own name to describe his signature sound: Supafunkrock. Andrews is the kind of player who comes along maybe once in a generation. Lexington audiences can hear Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue beginning 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

Returning to Singletary Center this fall is a legendary jazz musician from the celebrated Marsalis family, Branford Marsalis. A Grammy award-winning and Tony award-nominated saxophonist and composer, Marsalis is joined by the renowned Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, for 20 performances only, on his national "Well-Tempered" tour, featuring Baroque masterpieces by Tomaso Albinoni, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Handel, Antonio Vivaldi and more. Leader of one of the finest jazz quartets today, and a frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Marsalis is one of the most revered instrumentalists of his time. Branford Marsalis and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia will take the stage 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

Diego Garcia video of "Sunnier Days." A transcript of this song video can be found here.

Warm up your chilly November nights with the Latin sounds of Diego Garcia. Prior to his successful solo career, Garcia made his mark on the indie music scene as front man for the popular New York indie rock act Elefant. Drawing from his Argentine roots, he explores his Latin heritage with a sound that conjures the spirit of 1970s troubadours like Sandro and Jobim, as well as singer-songwriters like Leonard Cohen and Harry Nilsson. A breakout star with the release of his solo album "Laura," NPR named Garcia’s debut “one of the top 25 albums of the year.” His poignant first single “You Were Never There,” features lush string arrangements, delicate Spanish guitars and distinctly Latin flavor. Diego Garcia brings his sound to the Singletary stage 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.

A preview of Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas." A transcript of this song video can be found here.

Kentucky families looking for a different way to celebrate the holidays can take in Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas." Now in its 17th season, "A Celtic Christmas" recreates the joy and innocence of a night before Christmas in a remote farmhouse in the parish of Teampall an Ghleanntáin in the west of Ireland. The show remembers when neighboring families gathered around the fire to grace the wintry night with haunting melodies of traditional Irish Christmas carols, to raise the rafters with the joy of their music, to knock sparks off the flagstone floor with traditional dances, and to fill the night with the laughter of their stories. Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" will warm your heart beginning 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.

Joshua Bell performs "The Four Season" Summer III. Presto by Antonio Vivaldi.

Classical aficionados will not want to miss violinist Joshua Bell as he makes his debut at the Singletary Center next April. Often referred to as the "poet of the violin," Bell is one of the world's most celebrated violinists. He continues to enchant audiences with his breathtaking virtuosity, tone of sheer beauty, and charismatic stage presence. His restless curiosity, passion, universal appeal and multi-faceted musical interests have earned him the rare title of "classical music superstar." Bell will join Conductor John Nardolillo and the acclaimed UK Symphony Orchestra to perform a program that includes Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto #1 in G Minor Op. 26 and Camille Saint-Saëns' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28. Joshua Bell and UK Symphony Orchestra grace the stage 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 3.

Ticket prices vary for the 2014-15 Singletary Signature Series performances and can be purchased by calling the Singletary Center ticket office at 859-257-4929, visiting online at www.scfatickets.com, or in person at the venue. Processing fees will be added to purchase upon transaction.

A part of the UK College of Fine Arts, the Singletary Center for the Arts presents and hosts around 400 artistic, cultural and educational events annually for the university community, Lexington community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu