See the Robert Cray Band perform at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 13.
Cray has created a sound that rises from American roots and arrives today both fresh and familiar. In just over 40 years, Cray and his band have recorded 20 studio releases, 15 of which have been on the Billboard charts, and have played bars, concert halls, festivals and arenas around the world. With five Grammy awards, 15 nominations, millions of record sales worldwide and thousands of sold-out performances under his belt, this incredible artist shows no signs of slowing down. “In the Eighties and Nineties, Robert Cray was widely considered B.B. King’s heir to the blues crown,” wrote Rolling Stone.
The show is set for 8 p.m., in the center’s Jemison Concert Hall. Tickets are $59, $49 and $39. For tickets, call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
UAB faculty may purchase $25 tickets; a limited number of $25 tickets are available for most performances. UAB students may purchase $10 tickets. UAB student tickets must be purchased with valid student ID at the ASC Box Office. Limit one ticket per student, and a limited number of tickets are available for each show. Faculty and staff may receive a 20 percent discount on single tickets.
| Cray is considered one of the greatest guitarists of his generation. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at the age of 57, one of the youngest living legends to receive the prestigious honor. |
Known for blazing live performances, Cray is considered one of the greatest guitarists of his generation. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at the age of 57, one of the youngest living legends to receive the prestigious honor. In fact, Cray’s career and artistry seem to be reaching new heights.
For his latest project, “Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm,” Cray traveled to Memphis with his friend renowned Grammy Award-winning producer Steve Jordan to make a classic soul album with Hi Rhythm, the band that helped create that sound. Jordan knew of Cray’s deep love of O.V. Wright and other Memphis soul legends, and suggested they take up residence at Royal Studios, where Wright, Ann Peebles, Al Green, Syl Johnson, Otis Clay and many others recorded with venerable producer, songwriter, arranger and engineer Willie Mitchell. The core of Mitchell’s Hi Rhythm band used on many of those landmark sessions was still around, though Mitchell himself had passed in 2010.