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• Jason Mraz and Howie Day showcase singer-songwriter skills at Assembly Hall show

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Jason Mraz - We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.

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  1800 S. First St. Champaign, IL 61820
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• Jason Mraz to play Assembly Hall in May

Jason Mraz, the renowned pop sensation notorious for his charmingly witty lyrics and unique scat vocals, will perform at Assembly Hall Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. The 31-year-old, who is touring in the wake of his 2008 album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things., is currently riding a sizeable wave of success due to the album’s tirelessly catchy single “I’m Yours.” The song is Mraz’s first ever top-ten hit, peaking at number six on the Billboard Top 100 chart. It even earned him multiple Grammy nominations, including one for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, which he unjustly lost to John Mayer’s uncharacteristically exhausting “Say.”

Those familiar with Mraz’s live performances know that on stage the Virginia native effortlessly matches, and even exceeds, the high vocal standards he sets with his studio albums. If you can’t attend, or if you want to build excitement before Saturday, check out Mraz’s live recordings Tonight, Not Again: Live at the Eagles Ballroom (2004) and Jason Mraz Live & Acoustic 2001 (2008). On both of these albums, Mraz effectively displays his familiar reggae-folk-pop infusions, along with impressive abilities at the microphone. In the same way that fans of the blues-rock band Blues Traveler gawk at the unparalleled harmonica skills of lead man John Popper (coincidentally featured on Mraz’s Tonight, Not Again), concert-going Mraz fans regularly find themselves awestruck by the artist’s vocal improvisation and range at the mic.

Also performing on Saturday will be special guest Howie Day. A lesser, sappier version of his contemporaries, including both Mayer and Mraz, radio listeners will likely remember Day for his airy, heartfelt singles “Collide” and “She Says” off of his sophomore album Stop All The World Now (2003). The 28-year-old singer-songwriter has previously performed and toured with the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Tori Amos, and Gavin DeGraw. He hasn’t released any fresh material since 2005, but reportedly plans to deliver a new album later in 2009.

For Mraz, Saturday’s concert falls between a Friday night gig in Alabama, and a Sunday show in Wisconsin. Nevertheless, expect him to continue his recent trend of achievement by entertaining the CU crowd with a pleasing and compelling performance.