DePue Brothers Band to Play Temple Performing Arts, 12/12

The highly respected and multi-talented DePue Brothers Band will brighten the holiday stage with their show "A Magical Grassical Christmas" on Thursday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m. Taking place at Temple Performing Arts Center (TPAC), located at Broad Street and Polett Walk on Temple University's Main Campus in Philadelphia, it is their debut performance at TPAC and also the launch of their new CD When It's Christmas Time, which combines their classical roots with blue grass, jazz, rock, fusion and more. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 with Temple University ID. Tickets may be purchased from The Liacouras Center Box Office, located at 1776 N. Broad Street, by phone at 800-298-7200, or online at www.templeperformingartscenter.org.

Pleased to be performing in the hometown of most of the band members, this highly acclaimed string ensemble, who perform throughout the country, includes violinists Wallace, Alex, Jason and Zach DePue* with percussionist Don Liuzzi, bassist Kevin MacConnell, guitarist Mark Cosgrove, and Mike Munford, International Bluegrass Association's the 2013 Banjo musician of the year. Performing selections from their new CD, the concert is a celebration of the band's rich diversity of styles with a selection of holiday repertoire, including original pieces and popular traditional songs. (*Zach DePue will not be performing at TPAC.)

The title of the album, "When It's Christmas Time," is a reference to a carol originally written by the brothers' dad, Wallace DePue, Sr., which was later enriched with an arrangement by Alex DePue. The brothers, who have been playing Christmas programs together since they could hold violins, recorded the CD as a loving tribute to their dad. The album includes such popular songs as Sleigh Ride, O Holy Night, Good King Wenceslas, The Christmas Song, a special arrangement of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas bringing a jazzed up bluegrass shuffle to this classic holiday tune and a medley of Carols. In addition there is a mix of standard arrangements of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Ave Maria, as well as a more recent composition entitled The Fat Man.

The DePue Brothers Band encompasses a vivid blend of bluegrass, classical, and rock genres. Each of the four DePue brothers is a classical virtuoso in his own right, and brings rich and diverse talents to their sound. Performing with the band keeps them busy much of the year, while the brothers' individual musical endeavors continue -- Zach with The Indianapolis Symphony as concertmaster, and with Time for Three; Jason with The Philadelphia Orchestra; Alex with his solo endeavors and with DePue/DeHoyos; and Wallace with his company, Concert Instruments.com and The Philly POPS. Each band member brings impressive credentials to the band, with manager Don Liuzzi being the principal timpanist of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

As a family they have been making music together for over 25 years. They were named "Musical Family of America" in 1989 by presidential decree, were the subject of a nationally televised PBS documentary in 1993, and two brothers (Jason and Zach) were featured in the film documentary Music From the Inside Out in 2005. Their first album as brothers, Classical Grass, sold out of its first printing. Coming together with Tony Trischka, Mark Cosgrove, Don Liuzzi, Mike Munford, Kevin MacConnell, Jordan Tice and Rodney Whittenberg, the band began performing and recording in 2004.

"When It's Christmas Time" will be available on November 15th, 2013 on CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon.com, Rhapsody, all the online stores affiliated with Tune Core and locally at the FYE store at Broad and Chestnut St. in Center City Philadelphia. For more information about the DePue Brothers Band, visit their website at http://www.depuebrothersband.com.

Temple Performing Arts Center is Philadelphia's newest destination for arts and entertainment. As the northern anchor on the city's Avenue of the Arts, TPAC provides the North Philadelphia community an opportunity to experience the kind of cultural and artistic programming that previously could only be found in Center City. In addition to presenting its own season of performances, TPAC hosts numerous University and community events. The venue can also be booked for private or public events and engagements.

TPAC is located at Broad Street and Polett Walk on Temple University's Main Campus in Philadelphia, PA 19122. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 with Temple University ID. Tickets may be purchased from The Liacouras Center Box Office, located at 1776 N. Broad Street, by phone at 800-298-7200, or online at www.templeperformingartscenter.org.