FROM: TODD BRODGINSKI
ART GARFUNKEL TO KICK OFF EUROPEAN TOUR IN JUNE FOLLOWED BY EXTENSIVE U.S. TOUR BEGINNING JULY 16; 1998 MARKS 25 YEARS AS A SOLO ARTIST
ART GARFUNKEL has announced dates for an extensive European and U.S. tour that will bring him to 10 countries between June and December. The acclaimed singer/poet/actor is touring on the heels of his Grammy-nominated album SONGS FROM A PARENT TO A CHILD and will perform a selection of new songs and solo material, as well as classics from his Simon & Garfunkel days. This year, in fact, marks GARFUNKEL's 25th anniversary as a solo artist, having released his solo debut album ANGEL CLARE in 1973.
"Taking on the fear and vulnerability of a live show keeps you vital," says GARFUNKEL, who relishes the opportunity to perform new and classic material for fans around the world. "I'm a singer trying to get away with a lucky job. I try to soothe, to lift...That's my life."
Originally revered for his Grammy-winning, chart-topping songs and albums with partner Paul Simon, GARFUNKEL has broadened his horizons since the two split in 1970. His solo debut ANGEL CLARE spawned the top 10 hit "All I Know." His other solo albums include BREAKAWAY (`75; features the hit "I Only Have Eyes For You"), WATERMARK (`78; featuring "[What A] Wonderful World" with James Taylor and Paul Simon), FATE FOR BREAKFAST (`79), SCISSORS CUT (`81), THE ANIMALS' CHRISTMAS (`86), LEFTY (`87), GARFUNKEL (greatest hits, `88), UP TILL NOW (`93), ACROSS AMERICA (`97) and SONGS FROM A PARENT TO A CHILD (`97).
The late `80s brought two new challenges for GARFUNKEL: he published Still Water, a collection of poetry in `87, and began an amazing trek across America--on foot. Walking across the United States in 40 installments, GARFUNKEL wanted to slow down and see the country. "My goal was to feel my connection with America, one step at a time."
That trek was topped off by a celebratory concert at Ellis Island, where GARFUNKEL's ancestors had first stepped onto American soil. Recorded for the live ACROSS AMERICA album and filmed for a Disney Channel documentary, the performance is testament to GARFUNKEL's status as an American treasure: classic Simon & Garfunkel songs like "America," "Homeward Bound," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and solo GARFUNKEL numbers like "A Heart in New York," "All I Know," "Bright Eyes" and "Grateful" all resonate with the passion and emotion of someone who truly appreciates his country. In a three-star review of the album, Rolling Stone said, "The song's themes of reconciliation and transcendence suit Garfunkel's soul and lend his gentle virtues as a singer all the virtue and dignity of conviction" and GARFUNKEL is "Blessed with a beautifully ethereal voice..."
Now happily married to singer Kim Cermak Garfunkel, the couple was blessed with the birth of son James in 1990. James often joins his parents on stage, lending his vocals to songs like "Feelin' Groovy." It was in fact James who inspired his father to record 1997's SONGS FROM A PARENT TO A CHILD CD, which features inspired renditions of songs by Marvin Gaye, Cat Stevens, Lovin' Spoonful, James Taylor and Lennon/McCartney. James even joins his father on a version of Elvis Presley's hit "Good Luck Charm." In a review of the CD, the Los Angeles Times said, "Children will respond too, but this tender valentine from Art Garfunkel to his six-year-old son James will especially resonate with any adult for whom parenthood has brought the joy of discovery and untold love."
GARFUNKEL has also garnered acclaim for his acting roles in films such as Catch-22 (`69), Carnal Knowledge (`71), Bad Timing (`80) and Boxing Helena (`93) and has had his music included in films such as A League Of Their Own and the end-title credits of the Academy Award-winning As Good As It Gets.
For the upcoming shows, GARFUNKEL will perform with his five-piece band or, in special cases, with an orchestra. Confirmed U.S. tour dates are attached, with more to be added.
Date City Venue
Sun 5/3 Toronto, ONT Prince Of Whales
Thu 6/4 Gothenburg, SWE Liseberg
Sun 6/7 Belfast, IRE Waterfront Hall
Mon 6/8 Edinburgh, SCO Festival Theatre
Tue 6/9 Manchester, ENG Bridgewater Hall
Fri 6/12 Bournemouth, ENG B/C
Sat 6/13 Bristol, ENG Colston Hall
Sun 6/14 London, ENG Palladium
Tue 6/16 Croydon, ENG Fairfield Hall
Wed 6/17 Birmingham, ENG Symphony Hall
Fri 6/19 Regensburg, GER Zelt
Sat 6/20 Kunzeisau, GER Wurth
Sun 6/21 Bayreuth, GER Zellfestival
Tue 6/23 Bonn, GER Museumhof
Wed 6/24 Donzdorf, GER Schlosshof
Fri 6/26 Porlo, POR Casino Da Povoa
Sat 6/27 Lisbon, POR Casino Estoril
Sun 6/28 Murcia, SPA Auditorium
Tue 6/30 Canary Island, SPA Auditorium
Fri 7/3 Ehrenfriedersdorf, GER Naturbuhne
Sat 7/4 Berlin, GER Hochschue der Kunste
Sun 7/5 Zlin, CZEC REP Sportshall
*Thu 7/16 Brooklyn, NY Seaside Park Bandshell
Sat 7/18 Bridgeport, CT Seaside Park
Sun 7/19 Warwick, RI Warwick Musical Theatre
Wed 7/22 Interlochen, MI Kresge Auditorium
Thu 7/23 Rochester, MI Meadowbrook Music
Fri 7/24 Indianapolis, IN Star Light Summer Stage
Sat 7/25 Apple Valley, MN Minnesota Zoo Amph.
Mon 8/3 Muskegon, MI Cherry County Playhouse
Tue 8/4 Muskegon, MI Cherry County Playhouse
*Fri 8/7 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amph.
Sat 8/8 Myrtle Beach, SC Palace Theater
Sun 8/9 Pittsburgh, PA Hartwood Park
Thu 8/20 Cleveland Heights, OH Cain Park
*Sat 8/22 Kettering, OH Fraze Pavilion
Thu 10/15 Waterville, ME The Opera House
Fri 10/16 New London, CT Garde Arts Center
Sat 10/17 Reading, PA Rajah Theatre
Sun 10/18 Ottowa, ONT Congress Center
*Sun 11/1 Baltimore, MD Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Fri 12/4 Engelwood, NJ John Harms Theatre
Sat 12/5 Williamsport, PA Community Arts Center
Sun 12/6 Wilmington, DE Grand Opera House
* denotes performance with orchestra
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