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Adam Ezra Group to perform benefit concert at UMPI

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Adam Ezra Group, one of Boston’s best folk rock bands, takes the stage at the University of Maine at Presque Isle for a special fundraising concert on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Auditorium in Wieden Hall. UMPI is partnering with Taco Bell and RallySound to present this hard-touring, New England Music Award-winning band. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for those under 18, seniors, and students with a UMPI ID. Proceeds will benefit future renovations to the Auditorium in Wieden Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Known for its serious songwriting chops and its sound that cuts across musical genres, Adam Ezra Group played upwards of 200 shows in 2015 and recently received a Song of the Year award, along with producers Shep Goodman and Aaron Accetta, at the New England Music Awards for the song “Let Your Hair Down.”

The band is always busy with collaborations and projects: a songwriting partnership with the legendary John Oates is taking Adam back and forth between Nashville and tour; the theme song, “Grow Your Own Way,” was central to Midwest insurance giant, Country Financial’s 2014/15 marketing campaign; and Adam Ezra’s debut efforts in movie scoring have led to an appearance at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival and the release of Adam Ezra Group’s new album, aptly titled, Songs for a Movie.

The group’s music has been featured on TV and film, including NBC’s “What We Fight For” Notre Dame Institutionals, “Nas – Behind the Music” and “Lil Wayne – Behind The Music” on VH1, “The Real World” on MTV, “Dave Matthews – Driven” on VH1, “The Big Cheese” on Food Network, and “Folk Hero & Funny Guy” from Spitfire Studios.

The group has also toured with the likes of Gin Blossoms, Jason Mraz, John Hiatt, Blues Traveler, Daughtry, The Avett Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Rusted Root, The Wailers, Goo Goo Dolls, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Judy Collins, Cracker, Los Lobos, and many more.

Adam Ezra Group is made up of singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Adam Ezra, Alex Martin on drums, Corinna Smith on fiddle, Francis Hickey on bass and Josh Gold on keys. While on tour, the band—known for its social activism and community volunteerism—often devotes their time to local charity and goes out of their way to connect with their fans. Their goal is to reach as many people as possible while sharing their belief in the power of community and the human spirit.

Concert-goers are in for a special treat during the band’s Nov. 9 show: Adam Ezra Group will present a collaborative music piece with several young County musicians. In the afternoon before the band’s performance, students will take part in a workshop with the band to create their own arrangement of an Adam Ezra Group song. The students then will play the arrangement, with the band, during the evening concert.

Tickets will be available for purchase at UMPI’s Campus Store in the Campus Center, KMH Music at 412 Main St. in Presque Isle, and Caribou One-Stop at 117 Bennett Drive in Caribou. Tickets will also be available at the door on Nov. 9 starting at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about the show or tickets, contact UMPI’s Community and Media Relations Office at 207-768-9452 or email umpi@maine.edu. For more information about Adam Ezra Group, visit the band’s website at www.adamezra.com.

Photo of Adam Ezra Group