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  • Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter Kris Kristofferson Launches Los Angeles Philharmonic’s
    2009/10 Songbook Series With a Solo Acoustic Evening at Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Nov. 1, 2009
  • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009, AT 7:30 PM

    Media Sponsor: Los Angeles Magazine

    Three-time Grammy-winner and Country Music Hall-of-Famer Kris Kristofferson appears at Walt Disney Concert Hall in a solo acoustic show, Sunday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m. In his Walt Disney Concert Hall debut, Kristofferson guides the audiences through his poignant songs of love and protest, including classics made famous by Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

    The 90-minute set includes classic hits from Kristofferson as well as new material from his latest CD Closer to the Bone. The New West Records release opens with the title track, “Closer To The Bone,” an intense, intimate song described by the Los Angeles Times as “a celebration of that point in life where every moment becomes precious.” The record includes 11 additional and equally poignant tracks.

    The performance kicks off the LA PHIL’s 2009/10 Songbook series, which features intimate performances by some of the foremost talents in contemporary American music. Each year since its inception, the LA PHIL Songbook series has brought audiences some of the most cherished evenings of song. The 2009/2010 series continues with: Herb Albert and Lani Hall, January 29, 2010; and Patti LuPone – Matters of the Heart, May 15, 2010.

    KRIS KRISTOFFERSON’s distinguished career has encompassed the authorship of such classic American songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”; stardom in such feature films as Lonestar, the Blade Trilogy, A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid and A Star is Born; honors including three Grammy awards and a Golden Globe; and years of outspoken political and social activism. In November of 2009, Kristofferson will be feted as a BMI Icon at the performing rights organization’s Country Awards. He is currently a member of the Songwriter Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the last decade, the now 73-year-old performer has been on a vigorous schedule of international solo appearances. He returns to the essentials of his finely honed craft on his New West album Closer to the Bone. Like the master singer-songwriter’s 2006 New West bow, This Old Road, the new album is produced by Grammy Award-winner Don Was. The previous collection – Kristofferson’s first recording in almost a dozen years – was hailed by critics as “one of the finest albums of his storied career” (Rolling Stone), “a stripped-down stunner” (Esquire), and “a return to his best work” (Q). Kristofferson says, “I like the intimacy of the new album. It has a general mood of reflecting on where we all are at this end of life.” Much like its predecessor, Closer to the Bone is a deftly observed, honestly executed work about love, separation, loss, and mortality. The subject matter ranges from the musician’s family (“From Here to Forever,” “The Wonder”) to Kristofferson’s late friend Johnny Cash (“Good Morning John”). Some of the album’s songs were penned relatively recently, while others Kristofferson had never managed to successfully record. Was, who played bass on the sessions (as he had on the preceding album), once again drafted the other musicians who supported Kristofferson on This Old Road: guitarist and backup vocalist Stephen Bruton (who also co-wrote the Closer to the Bone tracks “From Here to Forever” and “Let the Walls Come Down”) and drummer Jim Keltner. Rami Jaffee of the Wallflowers contributed piano and accordion overdubs. Such searing, contemplative songs as “Closer to the Bone” and “Hall of Angels” gained a melancholy resonance in the days following the completion of sessions for the album. On May 9, 2009, Bruton – one of Kristofferson’s closest friends and musical associates for four decades – died in Los Angeles at the age of 60 after a long battle with throat cancer. The album is dedicated to his memory.

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Gustavo Dudamel, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable locations anywhere to experience music – Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association’s involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational concerts, children's programming and community concerts, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009, at 7:30 PM

    WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles



    Songbook Series



    Sunday, November 1, 2009, at 7:30 PM


    A Solo Acoustic Evening with Kris Kristofferson


    Media Sponsor: Los Angeles Magazine

    Tickets ($38 - $99) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card by phone at 323.850.2000. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For information, please call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Sophie Jefferies, sjefferies@laphil.org, 213.972.3422; Lisa White, lwhite@laphil.org, 213.972.3408; Photos: 213.972.3034