PERFORMANCES FEATURE SERGIO MENDES, A.R. RAHMAN, THE FLAMING LIPS, ZIGGY MARLEY, GOTAN PROJECT AND WILLIE NELSON

Media Sponsor: KCRW

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association partners up with KCRW once again to present KCRW's World Music Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. The line-up embodies the artistry of the unique partnership, and covers the musical globe with an eclectic and adventurous program. Complemented by the spectacular setting of the iconic Hollywood Bowl, each of KCRW's World Music Festival concerts is a one-of-a-kind experience. Held on Sunday evenings, each concert is hosted by a KCRW deejay: Nic Harcourt, Jason Bentley, Garth Trinidad, Anne Litt, Raul Campos, or Tom Schnabel.

The 2006 KCRW World Music Festival opens on Sunday June 25 with Sergio Mendes' 40th Anniversary of Brasil '66. This special evening celebrates Sergio Mendes' classic hits and new collaborations that have defined his 40 year groundbreaking career. Making special appearances are Herb Alpert, the co-founder of A&M Records who signed Mendes in '66, and Lani Hall, the original voice of Brasil '66. In addition, many amazing artists from Sergio Mendes' most recent release Timeless, including John Legend, India.Arie, Joe Pizzulo, and Q-Tip perform. Maogani Quartet, one of Brazil's main groups in the popular music scene, and Brazilian hip-hop master Marcelo D2, both Timeless guest artists as well, open the show.

On Sunday, July 16 the Hollywood Bowl presents its first night ever dedicated to the music and culture of India. India's premier composer and musical genius A.R. Rahman performs for the first time in a non-South Asian venue. A.R. Rahman is the man who has redefined contemporary Indian music, and is the pride of the Indian nation and a role model for millions around the world. Hailed by Time Magazine as the 'Mozart of Madras,' Rahman is one of the most successful artists of all time and according to a BBC estimate, has sold more than 100 million albums of his works comprising of music from more than 50 movies. The more traditionally based Musafir performs energetic hybrid versions of Indian folk and popular music, received enthusiastically by crowds at hundreds of concerts and festivals all over Europe. Several notable special guests include Sukhwinder Singh, Hariharan, Sadhana Sarga, Madhushree, and Anisha Nagarajan, the lead actress and star of the Broadway musical Bombay Dreams. Local dance troupe Bollywood Step Dance perform innovative routines, and Sher Foundation brings Southern California's most talented Bhangra dancers to the stage. Global Rhythms, a fifty piece choir and percussion ensemble from Miami University in Ohio, conducted by Ethan Sperry, a former member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, joins A.R. Rahman for this special evening. Infectious song, breathtaking dance, and colorful movie clips on the Bowl's side screens make for a night of wonder, surprise and spectacle.

On July 23, the fearless and brilliant Flaming Lips make their Hollywood Bowl debut appearance. In addition to the Lips' captivating performance, Thievery Corporation, undisputed standard-bearers of electronic music, perform in support of their newest release, Versions, a new collective of rare and sublime remixes of songs by The Doors, Sarah McLachlan, Astrud Gilberto, Nouvelle Vague, Wax Poetic with Norah Jones, Anoushka Shankar, and Transglobal Underground among many others. Opening the show is Os Mutantes, Brazil's legends of psychedelic tropicalia, reunited for the first time after 30 years and making their only West coast appearance.

The Bowl's favorite reggae party, Bob Marley: Roots, Rock, Reggae Festival 2006 returns on August 13 with Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, and Bunny Wailer. Joining the festival this year is Ozomatli, Los Angeles' beloved Afro-Latin-and-beyond style-mashers.

Breaking new ground in tango and electronica, and selling a debut record in excess of a million copies worldwide, Gotan Project had the small matter of addressing the long-standing love affair that the public had embarked upon. The result is the recently released, Lunatico (named after tango hero Carlos Gardel's champion racehorse of the 1930s), quite possibly their most accomplished work yet. On August 27, Gotan Project entrances audiences once again with the lure of Argentine tango and sublime electronic beats. Electro-soul collective Zero 7 appears at the Hollywood Bowl for their only U.S. tour date in support of their third album, The Garden. Swedish top-ten chart artist and revered troubadour Jose Gonzalez, and longtime collaborater Sia not only lend their vocals to several tracks on The Garden, but also appear with Zero 7 for tonight's performance. Matthew Herbert, one of Britain's most inventive and prolific electronic composers, sets the mood for the evening. His new album Scale is a culmination of his achievements, and his most accessible and mellifluous song collection to date.

On September 10, country music legend Willie Nelson, alternative-country roots-rocker Ryan Adams, and "torch and twang" singer/songwriter Neko Case present the finest in American music. On September 8 & 9, Willie Nelson appears with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for two nights of pure songwriting magic and a celebration of the musical roots of America. These appearances mark Willie Nelson's first-ever performances at the Hollywood Bowl.

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and in 1991 gave its name to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, a resident ensemble that has filled a special niche in the musical life of Southern California. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 37th season. Attendance figures over the past several decades have soared: in 1980 the Bowl first topped the half-million mark and close to one million admissions have been recorded. In February 2005, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue at the 16th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; it is no wonder that the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

SUNDAY, JUNE 25 at 7 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood

Sergio Mendes' 40th Anniversary of Brasil '66: A Timeless Celebration

In order of appearance:

Maogani Quartet

Marcelo D2

Sergio Mendes

Special guests: India.Arie, Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, John Legend, Joe Pizzulo, Q-Tip

Raul Campos, host

SUNDAY, JULY 16 at 7 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood

Bollywood Night!

In order of appearance:

Musafir

A.R. Rahman

Additional artists:

Sukhwinder Singh

Hariharan

Sadhana Sargam

Madhushree

Anisha Nagarajan

Global Rhythms

Dancers from Bollywood Step Dance

Sher Foundation

Tom Schnabel, host

SUNDAY, JULY 23 at 7 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood

In order of appearance:

Os Mutantes

Thievery Corporation

The Flaming Lips

Nic Harcourt, host

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 at 7 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood

Bob Marley: Roots, Rock, Reggae Festival 2006

In order of appearance:

Ozomatli

Bunny Wailer

Stephen Marley

Ziggy Marley

Garth Trinidad, host

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 at 7 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood

In order of appearance:

Herbert

Zero 7 featuring Jose Gonzalez and Sia

Gotan Project

Jason Bentley, host

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 at 7 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood

In order of appearance:

Neko Case

Ryan Adams

Willie Nelson

Anne Litt, host

Media sponsor: KCRW

Tickets ($5 - 93) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at HollywoodBowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.

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