Steve Vai, with Special Guest Beverly McClellan, to Perform Sept. 22 at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present Steve Vai on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts, UB North Campus. Beverly McClellan will open the show.

While many musicians fit easily into a single category, guitar virtuoso Steve Vai's unique musical vision remains unclassifiable. At age 12, Vai started taking guitar lessons from Joe Satriani. At 18, he began his professional career transcribing for, and the performing with, the legendary Frank Zappa. After more than three decades, 15 million albums sold, and three Grammy Awards, Vai has proven himself in his own right as one of music's true originals.

Vai's latest release, The Story of Light, follows the cosmic journey of a man driven mad by grief. Largely instrumental, the album spotlights guest vocalists, including singer-songwriter Aimee Mann and Beverly McClellan, Season 1 finalist of The Voice, who will be opening the show. The Story of Light is Vai's 16th solo album -- the latest addition to his full discography of more than 60 albums.

Vai has been recognized with a long list of awards, including 12 from Guitar Player magazine. Most recently, the TEC Foundation honored Vai with the prestigious Les Paul Award, in honor of his excellence in the creative application of technology. In addition to his work with Zappa, Vai has also performed with Ozzy Osbourne, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and Alice Cooper.

Tickets for Steve Vai are $49.50, $39.50, $34.50, $29.50. 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 more information, call 716-645-2787.