December 20, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's Alys Stephens Center will present Joshua Bell, accompanied by Sam Haywood, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, in the center, 1200 10th Ave. South. This event is a celebration of arts education at the Alys Stephens Center. A free pre-concert discussion of the evening's music will take place at 6 p.m. with violinist Karen Bentley Pollick. Tickets are $85, $65, $45; $20 for student tickets. A special post-performance dinner package with Bell is available. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org.

Through his unconventional approach to arts education, prolific recordings and non-stop touring, Bell has pushed the boundaries of classical music more than any other contemporary artist, making him the perfect artist for this special evening celebrating the opening of the center's new arts education center, ArtPlay. The evening's music will include selections from Brahms, Schubert and Grieg.

Bell has made a seamless transition from violin prodigy to major talent. Now in his 40s, Bell is among the most respected classical and chamber musicians in the world. This year he was named 2010 Instrumentalist of the Year by MusicalAmerica.com.

Bell's latest recording is titled "At Home with Friends." Inspired by his family's tradition of hosting "musicales" at home, with friends and family performing informally, the CD features collaborations with Bell's friends including Chris Botti, Sting, Kristin Chenoweth, Tiempo Libre, Regina Spektor, Anoushka Shankar, Marvin Hamlisch, Frankie Moreno and others.

Bell recently went into the studio to record his first CD of French sonatas, with works by Ravel, Saint Saëns and Franck, with pianist Jeremy Denk. It will be released in early summer 2011.

The performance is sponsored by The Birmingham News, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, WBHM and Viva Health.

About UAB's Alys Stephens Center

The Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is one of the Southeast's premier performing arts centers, presenting the world's best artists in music, dance, theatre, comedy, film, and family entertainment. The ASC's mission is to be a place where the entire community experiences and engages in the arts. The ASC is home to ArtPlay, a new arts education center, as well as UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.