In support of his new album Passages, Los Angeles based keyboardist and recording artist Lao Tizer and his band will headline the BNY Mellon Jazz Concert on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at South Park Amphitheatre, Buffalo Drive in South Park, PA. The concert is free and open to the public. BNY Mellon Jazz underwrites jazz concerts and concert series, educational initiatives, and scholarships and brings the best in jazz artistry to the Pittsburgh region.

Originally hailing from Boulder, Colorado, Tizer’s independent recordings have sold over 85,000 copies, charted and received acclaim in the industry’s most respected publications. In 1997, Tizer relocated to Los Angeles to further pursue his musical passion and formed the Lao Tizer Band. Performing with Tizer at the South Park Amphitheatre will be guitarist Jeff Kollman, English bassist Rufus Philpot, Cuban drummer Raul Pineda, saxophonist/percussionist/vocalist Steve Nieves and featured guests: guitar great Chieli Minucci, leader of the Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz group Special EFX, which formed in 1982, and soul/jazz violinist extraordinaire Karen Briggs, known for her fiery performances in the multi-platinum selling, “Yanni: Live at the Acropolis” PBS special and appearances alongside many of the world’s top musicians including; Stanley Clarke, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, and Hidden Beach All-Stars, etc. Tizer is one of the new generation of instrumentalists who can't be easily categorized. His music is a mixture of pop-rock, world beat, and contemporary jazz with some jam band sensibility thrown in. Tizer is a powerful player who can shift effortlessly from power chords and funky riffs to lyrical ballads. The Lao Tizer Band bridges the generation gap and brings a younger vibe to the contemporary jazz genre.

Tizer is a former “Best New Jazz Artist” nominee; a Yamaha-endorsed pianist and keyboardist; has appeared at many premier venues including Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, Pier 39 – Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco; and has graced the stage at events worldwide alongside artists including: Isaac Hayes, Boney James, Zappa Plays Zappa, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, The Commodores, The Rippingtons, Bruce Hornsby, Jethro Tull and Spyro Gyra.

His sixth CD, Passages, a follow up to his acclaimed Diversify album is a return to Tizer’s roots, flying almost solo at the piano. Passages delivers passion and improvisation, encompassing the freedom of Lao’s live performances and his evolving talents for composition and arrangement. The record features guest appearances by the aforementioned Kollman (producer and guitarist) and violinist Karen Briggs, in addition to Kevin Ricard (percussion), Philip Hamilton (percussion & vocals), and Contemporary Jazz legend, fellow album producer and frequent concert partner Chieli Minucci on guitar.

For more information contact Allegheny County Parks Department at 412-350-2478 or visit www.alleghenycounty.us/parks.

www.laotizer.com