CFA to Present Return to Forever IV with Zappa Plays Zappa

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present Return to Forever IV with Zappa Plays Zappa on Monday, Aug. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre, Center for the Arts, UB North Campus.

Return to Forever, whose mind-blowing experimentation in jazz and rock transformed the music world, will debut a historic new lineup this summer on their U.S. tour. The tour brings a re-imagined musical dimension to both the wildly influential group and its repertoire.

Solidifying the tour's once-in-a-lifetime experience, Zappa Plays Zappa, the musical tribute to Frank Zappa, will join the bill alongside Return to Forever IV (RTF IV), the legendary group's fresh incarnation of core members Chick Corea (keys), Stanley Clarke (bass) and Lenny White (drums), along with Mahavishnu Orchestra alum and violin virtuoso Jean-Luc Ponty and guitarist Frank Gambale.

Working together with complete creative compatibility and steeped in the tradition of extreme freedom of expression, these five pillars of jazz and rock have prepared a must-see performance that will please fans new and old. Their ever-evolving set-list features Return to Forever classics, highlights from each member's solo repertoire, and brand-new compositions written for the RTF IV lineup.

On showcase will be the freshly released Corea, Clarke and White project Forever, a two-disc set of 18 tracks that includes jazz trio standards, updated RTF-classics, new tunes and special guests. Released June 7, on Concord Jazz, a division of Concord Music Group, disc one is a best-of sampler from the triumphant "RTF-Unplugged" world tour in 2009.

Zappa Plays Zappa was founded by Dweezil Zappa to bring the music of his late father, Frank Zappa, to contemporary audiences through a series of international performance tours dubbed "Tour De Frank." Dweezil's fellow band members are among the most brilliant and innovative players working in any genre and, collectively, rise to the challenge of bringing the legendary Zappa repertoire alive in concert. Dweezil Zappa, a 2009 GRAMMY Award winner, continues to record and perform on a regular basis around the world.

Tickets for Return to Forever IV with Zappa Plays Zappa are $67, $52, $37, $22. Tickets are available at the Center for the Arts Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and all Ticketmaster locations including ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets call 1-800-745-3000; in Canada, call 416-870-8000. For group sales, call 716-645-6771. For more information, call 716-645-2787.