‘A Season of Note’ brings Sawyer Brown, ZUM concerts to Pocatello in October

Country-western band Sawyer Brown and the genre-defying England-based jazz-fusion band ZUM will perform shows this October in Pocatello as part of the Idaho State University 2007-08 “A Season of Note” performing arts series.

• Sawyer Brown will have concerts at 7 and 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall of the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center. Sawyer Brown has won several awards including Academy of Country Music Awards “Vocal Group of the Year.” Ticket prices are $36 main level, $32 upper level. Information about the band can be found at www.sawyerbrown.com.

• ZUM will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, in the same venue. ZUM features an eclectic blend of jazz threads, gypsy fiddle music, and Argentinean tango with Celtic, salsa, bluegrass, Arabic, and calypso influences. Ticket prices are $24 main level, $20 upper level. The group’s Web site: www.zum.org.uk.

“These two performing groups exemplify the wide range of artists we’re bringing to Southeast Idaho as part of our ‘A Season of Note’ series,” noted George Casper, ISU director of events. “Each show will be a unique experience for our patrons.”

In addition to the award listed above, the country band Sawyer Brown was given the Country Music Association’s “Horizon Award” and the TNN/Music city News Country Music Awards “Vocal Band of the Year.” The band’s hit singles include “The Race is On,” “The Walk,” ”The Dirt Road,” “Some Girls Do,” “Thank God for You” and “This Time.”

Hailing from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the BBC has described ZUM’s music as “a passionate fusion, virtuoso solo playing and hair-trigger changes of time signatures, melodic lines that spiral from funereal mournfulness into reeling intoxication.” ZUM consists of a violinist, pianist, cellist, accordion player and bassist. The band promotes itself as playing “stunning fusion combining the fire and brilliance of Eastern European gypsy fiddle music with the hot-blooded passion of Argentinean Tango” and has played to many sold-out venues overseas.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at (208) 282-3595, online at www.isu.edu/stephens or the Stephens Center Box Office from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Patrons can purchase tickets on event nights beginning at 6 p.m.