Boz Scaggs Plays The State Theatre, 9/24

Boz Scaggs, whose phenomenally successful 1976 breakthrough album “Silk Degrees” (re-released in 2007) sold over four million copies, reached number two on the album charts and spawned hit singles including the smash “Lido Shuffle” and the Grammy winning “Lowdown,” will play Hennepin Theatre Trust’s State Theatre, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2009. The concert will highlight the talented soul, rock and, lately, jazz vocalist, guitarist and songwriter performing many of his greatest hits with a full band. An opening act will be announced later. Tickets are now on sale. Visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1-800-982-2787 to purchase or for more information.

Much of Scaggs’ music emphasizes understated textures and sleek, uptown grooves in durable, insightful and original songs. During this multi-talented musician’s long and prestigious career he has worked with some of the best musicians in the business. In 1959, Scaggs played in blues bands with guitarist Steve Miller when they both attended the University of Wisconsin. His solo recording career launched in 1969 with a now cult-status, self-titled release working with the famed Muscle Shoals rhythm section and showcasing an incendiary guitar solo by the late Duane Allman. “Silk Degrees” was recorded with session artists keyboardist David Paich and drummer Jeff Porcaro, who later formed the enormously successful ‘70s rock band Toto. 

Scaggs remained a critics' darling over the course of LPs like 1972's “My Time,” 1974's “Slow Dancer” and 1977's “Down Two Then Left.” His 1980's “Middle Man” reached the Top Ten with the singles “Breakdown Dead Ahead” and “Jo Jo.” Scaggs spent much of the 1980s in retirement, owning and operating the San Francisco nightclub Slim's and limiting his performances. He began recording again in 1988 and toured with Donald Fagen's Rock and Soul Revue. The solo effort “Some Change” appeared in 1994 with “Come on Home” and “My Time: The Anthology” (1969-1997) both released in 1997. The newly energized Scaggs spent the next few years consistently releasing new material including “Here's the Low Down,” “Fade into Light,” “Dig,” and a collection of standards called “But Beautiful” (2003), which rose to the number one spot on Billboard’s jazz chart. “Speak Low” in 2008 also saw him reinterpreting a number of jazz standards. As part of a national tour of intimate jazz clubs, his most recent Minneapolis appearance included multiple sold-out shows at the Dakota Jazz Club.

Boz Scaggs performs at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s State Theatre (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402). Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, July 17 and range in price from $49.50 to $39.50, depending on seating preference. A select number of Gold Circle tickets are also available at $100. Prices do not include facility fees. Additional service charges may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, or through Ticketmaster by calling 1-800-982-2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. 

Hennepin Theatre Trust, owner of the historic State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres, is a non-profit organization devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. The Trust’s programs include Broadway touring productions and other live performances, the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program, Critical View student reviewer program, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Kids’ Night. For more information, visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

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