Ben Sollee
LOUISVILLE, KY, JANUARY 23, 2012 – The Fund for the Arts is thrilled to announce that on January 29th singer/song writer and native Kentuckian Ben Sollee will be appearing on stage at the Brown Theatre as part of the 2013 Arts Showcase and Campaign Kick-Off. The annual showcase is free to the public and has become a time honored tradition in Louisville. Along with Mr. Sollee, there will be performances from the Kentucky Opera, Actors Theatre, the Louisville Orchestra, Stage One Family Theatre, and more.
“It’s a project of passion,” said Sollee. “A chat and a short piece sounds like a great way to spend a January afternoon.”
Sollee will also travel to several area schools to present his program On Playing a Wooden Box, through a grant made possible by support from the Fund for the Arts and Fund for the Arts Board President Dave Calzi.
The Arts Showcase and Campaign Kick-Off will take place at the Brown Theatre on January 29th from 12:00PM to 1:00PM and include a free box lunch. For more information visit rsvp.fundforthearts.com.
About Ben Sollee
Sollee first gained major notice with his 2001 debut, Learning to Bend, which led NPR’s Morning Edition to call him one of the “Top Ten Great Unknown Artists” of the year. Later, All Things Considered called his debut “an inspired collection of acoustic, folk and jazz–‐ flavored songs, filled with hope and the earnest belief that the world is good. “Around The same time, Sollee was touring the world with Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet alongside Grammy nominee Casey Driessen and multi–‐Grammy winner Bela Fleck. Sollee’s music drew the attention of My Morning Jacket frontman Yim Yames, who produced his second full–‐ length album, a collaboration with Daniel Martin Moore. In 2010 they released Companion, a Stunning collection of songs meant to inspire environmental stewardship. The next year Sollee contributed his cello stylings to My Morning Jacket’s hit album Circuital and released Inclusions, a sonically awe–‐inspiring album about relationships that was called “structurally brilliant” by Slant and “stunning” by No Depression. Half–‐Made Man, a record of raw power, grace, and wisdom, Sollee is sure to be measured alongside the Best artists of his generation. Visit www.bensollee.com for more information.
About Fund for the Arts
Fund for the Arts is the oldest united arts fund in the country and has generated more than $180 million since its establishment in 1949. In 2012, the Fund for the Arts awarded 417 grants to various organizations throughout the region to provide financing for Arts experiences and administrative support. The Fund for the Arts also hosts power2give.org, a micro-funding website for any 501(c)3 organization in Kentucky and Southern Indiana to post Arts and culture projects. Other Fund sponsored activities include the annual Whittenberg Young Artist Scholarship and the NeXt! leadership development program for young professionals. For more information, visit www.fundforthearts.com.
