VTech's Timeless concert series starts Sunday

VTECH’S “TIMELESS” CONCERT SERIES KICKS OFF SUNDAY, FEB. 1;
ETHIO-JAZZ LEGEND MULATU ASTATKE HEADLINING

Hip-Hop Themed Concert Opens with DJs Cut Chemist and Quantic

WHO: The influential composer/arranger and multi-instrumentalist Mulatu Astatke, known for blending traditional Ethiopian music with Latin Jazz to create the unique hybrid he coined ‘Ethio-Jazz’

Eclectic turntablist Cut Chemist, former member of L.A. music scene staples – hip-hop group Jurassic 5 and Latin funk band Ozomatli – opener for Shakira and collaborator with DJ Shadow

UK born and resident of Columbia DJ Quantic, whose 12 full-length records push genre boundaries by blending jazz, Latin and Caribbean music, and who produced the track for Apple’s ‘Tropical iPod’ commercial

WHAT: Artists will join together for the first show of a four-part, unique concert series. Mulatu, a central figure in African music, will be backed by a 15-piece orchestra in a performance of his all-time hits as well as a new, exclusively composed piece. Opening DJs Cut Chemist and Quantic will build their sets around his musical legacy, to help showcase Mulatu’s influence on today’s hip-hop.

WHERE: Harriet and Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State Los Angeles
5151 University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032

WHEN: February 1, 2009
7 p.m. (doors) – 11 p.m.

ABOUT: The “Timeless” series, presented by VTech Communications with Mochilla and ArtDontSleep, is an homage to the arranger/composers who have influenced hip-hop in the most literal and profound ways. VTech, whose new streaming music and Internet radio device will be available this spring, sponsors a variety of music events nationwide.

Future shows in the four-part series will include:
· Sunday, February 22 – Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and a 40 piece orchestra performing a “Suite for Ma Dukes” a tribute to the music of J Dilla

· Sunday, March 15 – Arthur Verocai with Madlib and DJ Nuts

· Sunday, April 5 – David Axelrod with J.ROCC special guests TBA

For more information, visit www.vtechphones.com/timeless.