Yoshiki Classical World Tour Kicks Off at Segerstrom Center Today

International rock icon Yoshiki has announced three new concert dates across Asia to his highly anticipated Yoshiki Classical tour. X Japan's founder and leader will bring his first classical concert tour to Taipei, Taiwan, as well as, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. The newly added concert dates follow Yoshiki's recently announced Bangkok, Thailand performance. Yoshiki, Asia's foremost rock icon and multi talented music superstar, will embark on the Yoshiki Classical tour at Segerstrom Center for the Arts tonight, April 25 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall before setting off across North America, Europe and Asia, culminating in Yoshiki's native Japan.

Yoshiki Classical will feature music from Yoshiki's latest album that includes collaborations with some of music's most renowned artists and legendary producers. Along with Billboard Magazine, MTV, Reuters and AOL, Classic FM applauds Yoshiki Classical as an "enlightening exploration of one musical auteur's quest to turn his music into something more than a series of rock ballads." Pianist Magazine went on to say Yoshiki Classical is a "true labor of love from a talented artist who's made an impressive mark within the classical and rock genres."

Single tickets, which start at $39, are now available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. The TTY number is (714) 556-2746.

Yoshiki, considered to be one of Asia's most influential musical artists and its biggest rock icon, is honored to share his new collection of compositions titled Yoshiki Classical with fans around the world.

The long awaited album Yoshiki Classical was released worldwide in the fall of 2013 and met with tremendous response. It sees collaborations between Yoshiki and legendary The Beatles producer Sir George Martin, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra and the Quartet San Francisco. Yoshiki Classical debuted at #1 on the iTunes Classical Music chart in 10 countries around the world and also saw a Top 10 debut in four countries.

Although known as the founder of Japan's biggest rock band, X Japan and credited as the catalyst for the flamboyant visual-kei rock sub-genre, Yoshiki is a world-renowned classically trained multi- instrumentalist/composer/musician. X Japan has sold more than 30 million singles and albums combined, along with several sold-out world tours, including selling out the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome, a record 18 times.

Yoshiki composed the 2012 Golden Globe Awards theme song, which is available in 111 countries. He also composed and performed an orchestral piece/piano concerto to commemorate the Japanese Emperor's tenth anniversary of his reign, along with the theme for the World Expo held in Japan.

Beyond music, Yoshiki has been celebrated in many unique ways. Some highlights include, Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee created the music superhero comic book series "Blood Red Dragon" based
on Yoshiki. Madame Tussaud created and unveiled the Yoshiki wax figure. Additionally, Yoshiki has his own clothing and jewelry line, not to mention his own branded Yoshiki VISA Card and a line of wine called Y by Yoshiki. For the first time in history, a Hello Kitty product line was named after a person - Yoshikitty. And in December 2013, Yoshiki launched his very own YOSHIKI special edition headphone.

On February 19, 2014, the GRAMMY Museum unveiled their Yoshiki exhibit, displaying the influential rock icon's signature crystal piano, flamboyant wardrobes and other items. The exhibition explores Yoshiki's fascinating career and follows the museum's unique collection on Ringo Starr. Yoshiki is the first Asian artist to be honored with an exhibition by The GRAMMY Museum.

In 2010, he launched the non-profit organization Yoshiki Foundation America, which continues to donate to various charitable organizations, including support for Japanese Earthquake victims. To learn more, visit: www.yoshiki.net.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is unique as both an acclaimed arts institution and as a multi- disciplinary cultural campus. It is committed to supporting artistic excellence on all of its stages, offering unsurpassed experiences, and engaging the entire community in new and exciting ways through the unique power of live performance and a diverse array of inspiring programs.

Previously called the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Center is Orange County's largest non-profit arts organization and owns and operates the 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall and intimate 250-seat Founders Hall, which opened in 1986, and the 2,000-seat Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, which opened in 2006 and also houses the 500-seat Samueli Theater, the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge Education Center's studio performance space and Boeing Education Lab. A spacious arts plaza anchors Segerstrom Center for Arts and is home to numerous free performances throughout the year as part of Segerstrom Center for the Arts' ongoing Free for All series.

The Center presents a broad range of programming for audiences of all ages, including international ballet and dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, intimate performances of jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by renowned chamber orchestras and ensembles, family- friendly programming, free performances open to the public from outdoor movie screenings to dancing on the plaza and many other special events. The Center's arts-in-education programs are designed to inspire young people through the arts and reach hundreds of thousands of students each year.

In addition to the presenting and producing institution Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the 14-acre campus also embraces the facilities of two independent acclaimed organizations: Tony Award®-winning South Coast Repertory and a site designated as the future home of the Orange County Museum of Art.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is also proud to serve as the artistic home to three of the region's major performing arts organizations: Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Pacific Chorale, who contribute greatly to the artistic life of the region with annual seasons at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

YOSHIKI CLASSICAL
Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Reneee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Friday, April 25, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Address: 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Tickets start at $39.
The Box Office is Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily, online at SCFTA.org, or by calling (714) 556-2787.

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