Soulive to bring new jazz sounds to Center for the Arts

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Jazz group Soulive will perform at the University at Buffalo at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus. Media sponsor for the concert is WBFO-FM.

The group is composed of 26-year-old drummer Alan Evans (a founding member of the soul-rock band Moon Boot Lover and a vet of the Greyboy Allstars and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe), his 25-year-old brother Neal Evans (also a member of Moon Boot Lover and a former student of jazz great Jaki Byard) on Hammond B-3 organ, Wurlitzer and piano, and 24-year-old guitarist Eric Krasno (who launched the Boston band Lettuce).

With the release of its deep-grooved, funk-fueled, melodically rich "Blue Note Records" debut of "Doin' Something," Soulive has arrived in a major way. While the new-school organ trio is steeped in the soul-jazz tradition that's an integral part of Blue Note history, the band is breaking new ground in the jazz vanguard thanks to its uncanny ability to incorporate the dance music of the day -- hip-hop, old-school soul, dub, funk and rock.

Soulive is only a couple of years old, but it has created a buzz. The band recorded the well-received album "Turn It Out" (with guest guitarist John Scofield ) and an EP "Get Down!" In addition, the trio has opened for Dave Matthews Band, John Scofield and Maceo Parker, co-headlined with DJ Logic and has headlined -- and sold out -- the House of Blues in Boston and the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on numerous occasions.

Writing in the Boston Phoenix, critic Michael Endelman notes, "Soulive's sonic foundation -- throaty Hammond B-3 swells, spidery guitar lines and cymbal-driven drum cycles -- is a warm, organic sound that dates back to the 1950s, and their compositional style is equally familiar, balancing earthy blues with tangy chromatic touches."

Tickets for Soulive are $18.50 for the general public and $15.50 for UB students. Tickets are available from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday the Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's and Movies Plus. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada 416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771.

For more information call 645-ARTS, or visit the Center for the Arts Web site at http://www.arts.buffalo.edu.