The King Center and Brevard Music Group Add Two New Smooth Jazz Concerts to Lineup

JEFF KASHIWA & STEVE COLE - In the Studio Theatre

Saturday, July 28, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on Sale Friday, April 20 at Noon

Tickets starting at $54 (inclusive of fees)

One evening. Two amazing artists! Jeff Kashiwa is one of the most compelling young saxophonists in contemporary jazz. Having established himself in the 1990's as one of the most diverse saxmen during his decade long tenure with The Rippingtons, Kashiwa's instincts led him to more dynamic endeavors through his solo career. It surprised many when Jeff left the group to venture out on his own, but he had things to say through his own music. Kashiwa now has nine CDs released under his own name and has continued to record as a guest artist with many other artists as well. In 2004, Kashiwa founded The Sax Pack, a trio of saxophone headliners, featuring himself, Steve Cole and Kim Waters. The group released two CDs together and charmed audiences with their Rat Pack style repartee' in tours across the U.S. and abroad. His newest CD, Let It Ride, features a host of the greatest musicians in the world of Contemporary Jazz, including Russ Freeman, David Benoit, Chuck Loeb and Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra.

Saxophonist, Steve Cole is one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz. Known for consistently cranking out chart-topping singles that deploy big vibrant pop hooks, contemporary jazz saxophonist Cole conjures a sonic escapade with the hypnotic "Mirage," the first single from his eighth album, "Turn It Up." The Chicago native exploded onto the scene in 1998 with the album "Stay Awhile" that was produced by fellow Chicagoan Brian Culbertson. The disc scored two #1 hits and earned Cole the Oasis Smooth Jazz Award for best new artist shortly before his sophomore set, "Between Us," was released in 2000. His catchy singles made him an instant radio favorite and he cranked them out with regularity on subsequent albums; Between Us, NY LA, Spin, True, and Moonlight. In addition to his work as solo artist, Steve has performed/recorded, with Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Boz Scaggs, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, Jim Peterik, Freddie Cole, Cyrus Chestnut, and KMFDM, and has been a featured soloist with the City of Prague Orchestra, and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Steve is also a founding member of The Sax Pack, a stellar sax trio completed by Marcus Anderson and Jeff Kashiwa. Don't miss your chance to see these two amazing saxophonists in the intimate setting of the Studio Theatre. It will be an evening to remember! Tickets for this show are also available at www.BrevardMusicGroup.com.

BLAKE AARON, BRIAN SIMPSON, Paul Taylor - In the Studio Theatre

Saturday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on Sale Friday, April 20 at Noon

Tickets starting at $64 (inclusive of fees)

Blake Aaron, a multifaceted guitarist, composer, producer and media personality, draws on a lifetime of diverse musical influences to create a masterful fusion of jazz, R&B, soul, rock, blues and Latin sounds. The Southern California based Aaron creates his most expansive, fully expressive collection yet, artfully alternating his lead voice between three of his favorite guitars: the D'Angelico hollow body, the Fender Stratocaster and the Cordoba Nylon string. Aaron's fans have long been entertained by his multi-guitar approach in his live performances where he'll set up his nylon string guitar on a stand while the Strat or hollow body is strapped around his shoulder - allowing for some amazing switch offs during the same song.

Inspired keyboardist, composer, prolific studio musician and producer, Brian Simpson is a master of all he purveys. His eloquent approach to playing, sophisticated harmonics sense, bluesy overtones, R&B flavor and keen sense of how to craft a song that stands the test of time, have made him the go-to man for many. Through the years, Simpson has been revered for his unparalleled ability to compose unforgettable melodies and irresistible grooves. Simpson's soulful approach to music has made him first call for many including, Janet Jackson, Teena Marie, George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Dave Koz. A chart-topping musical chameleon who wrote the #1 R&B hit "The First Time," for Surface in the 1990s, Brian Simpson has a knack for churning out timeless anthems. Simpson's latest release, Persuasion, should further assert him as one of the most thrilling and innovative pioneers on the contemporary jazz scene.

Saxophonist, Paul Taylor, has over ten albums of non-stop hit making, thousands of charismatic performances worldwide and years of setting new standards for the sonic possibilities of contemporary urban jazz. Taylor has been a groundbreaking force among the sax elite in the genre since his hit 1995 debut, On The Horn. His 2014 #1 hit "Supernova" continued the exhilarating upswing he has been enjoying since he started his second decade as an artist with Ladies' Choice, - his first ever #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart. "Burnin,'" the title track from his 2009 album, hit #1 on the airplay charts, and "Push To Start," from Prime Time, hit the pole position on the Smooth Jazz Songs chart. Prime Time further lived up to its colorful name by reaching the Top Ten on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. His new Peak Records/eOne album, Countdown, launches Taylor into his incredible third decade as a solo artist with a set that fuses his trademark jazzy/funk/soul vibe with prominent elements of dance pop, neo-soul, electronica, folksy lite rock, reggaeton, and even a touch of blues. Tickets for this show are also available at www.BrevardMusicGroup.com.

BMG is collecting non-perishable food items to deliver to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank in Satellite Beach. Please bring your donations to this concert or call Roland at 321-783-9004 for pick-up.

Tickets may be purchased by visiting kingcenter.com or by calling the King Center Ticket Office at 321.242.2219. Ticket office hours are Monday - Friday, Noon - 6pm & Sat, Noon - 4pm.

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