Athletes for Autism to Host Jeff Lorber Fusion Benefit in Vogel Hall, 11/23

Keyboardist/composer/producer Jeff Lorber, brings his GRAMMY-nominated power trio, The Jeff Lorber Fusion, to Milwaukee for a one night only benefit concert for Athletes for Autism. The performance will be presented in Vogel Hall at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on November 23 at 7:00 pm.

By the late 1970s, trailblazing keyboardist Jeff Lorber had become a prominent figure in the new movement known as jazz fusion - a marriage of traditional jazz with elements of rock, R&B, funk and other electrified sounds. The Jeff Lorber Fusion first honed their craft in the Portland, Oregon club scene and rapidly expanded their reach to an international audience.

This contemporary jazz collective, featuring bassist/co-producer Jimmy Haslip and saxophonist Eric Marienthal, has blended elements of jazz, funk, rock, R&B and world music into a distinctive sound that has connected with audiences from a variety of continents, cultures and generations. In more recent years, the group's studio efforts such as their 2010 release, Now Is the Time (2010) and Galaxy (2012), influenced by extensive touring throughout Europe and Asia, have been colored with vibrant shades of dance and house music. These same colors are at the forefront of Hacienda, the new album from The Jeff Lorber Fusion released in August on Heads Up, a division of Concord Music Group.

Jeff's new recording, Hacienda, on Heads Up International / Concord, revisits a sound he helped pioneer. The album takes the experiment that he started with his GRAMMY-nominated CD, Now is the Time, and his 2012 album, Galaxy, up a notch with 11 exciting and energetic new compositions. Co-produced by Lorber and bassist/composer Jimmy Haslip, Hacienda also features saxophonist Eric Marienthal.

Tickets are $65 and can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, by phone at 414-273-7206 or online at Ticketmaster.com and MarcusCenter.org. A VIP post show reception is also available through the Box Office.

For more information, visit MarcusCenter.org or AthletesForAutismFoundation.org.