Legendary Musician Booker T. Jones To Perform Annual Benefit Concert For Historic Newton

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Booker T. Jones will bring his band to Newton North High School on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at 7:30PM. Proceeds from the "Songs and Stories from the Birth of Soul" concert will support the work of Historic Newton. Tickets and information are available now at newtonma.gov/bookert.

As the architect of one of the first racially integrated rock bands (Booker T. and the M.G.'s), Booker T. Jones originated the sound of modern soul music, creating classic hits like "Green Onions" and backing artists ranging from Otis Redding, Mavis Staples and Neil Young to Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. In a career that has spanned decades, including recent collaborations with bands The Roots and Drive-By Truckers, Jones has become one of the most famous Hammond B3 organ players in history.

"For the past five years, Historic Newton has been presenting concerts by musicians who perform historic American styles of music," said Lisa Dady, director of Historic Newton. "We're thrilled that Booker T. will help us continue this living tradition."

Called "one of the legends of soul music" by The New Yorker, Jones has produced classic albums such as Willie Nelson's multi-platinum hit "Stardust" and Bill Withers' "Just As I Am," featuring the hit song "Ain't No Sunshine". Booker T. also lent his trademark keyboard chops to some of these classics. As for his solo career, Booker T. 's albums "Potato Hole" (2009) and "The Road From Memphis" (2011) both won GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Jones is currently working on a new recording project, writing his memoir, and touring worldwide with his solo band.

General admission tickets to the concert range from $55 to $85. Individual sponsor tickets start at $150 per person. All sponsors are invited to join Historic Newton after the concert for an after-party with Booker T. Jones. Purchase tickets at newtonma.gov/bookert. For more information, please call 617-796-1450. Attendees of the after-party must be 21+.

"Booker T. Jones: Songs and Stories from the Birth of Soul" is sponsored by Wayne Towle Master Finishing and Restoration, Meyer and Meyer Architecture and Interior, Austin Street Partners, Brookline Bank, DHK Financial Services, and Schnee Architects.

ABOUT HISTORIC NEWTON

Historic Newton encourages exploration of Newton and the surrounding region within the broad context of American history through educational programs for all ages, including lectures, walking tours, workshops, an annual historic house tour. It also maintains archives related to Newton history and two museums: the Jackson Homestead, a stop on the Underground Railroad; and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, a 1734 colonial farmhouse exploring equality, sustainability, politics, and protest. For more information, please visit www.historicnewton.org