Out & About Nick Brandon

Distinctive sound of Yanni are on the way

By Nick Brandon
HPR Media Services

Born in Kalamata, Greece, in 1954, Yanni has taken his brilliant keyboard talents to gain worldwide fame and notoriety, composing some of the most well-known and inspirational instrumental music of our time.

The musician, along with his extraordinary band, will fill The Palace of Auburn Hills with the grandest of sounds on Saturday, March 29, in support of Yanni’s new album, “Ethnicity.”

After breaking national records as a teenager with the Greek National Swimming Team, Yanni moved to the U.S. and received a psychology degree from the University of Minnesota before beginning a life in music.

His first album, 1986’s “Keys to Imagination,” is considered a classic for its genre, its title-track being a fan favorite at Yanni’s spectacular concerts.

His music has been used for Olympic games’ soundtracks, as well as being the theme for ABC’s Wild World of Sports among other TV programs and composing and performing some original film scores as well.

It all seems pretty awesome — but even more so when you consider that the artist’s playing and composition skills are completely self-taught.

Yanni live is an event worth seeing for appreciators of all kinds of music and all ages.

Tickets range from $39.50 to $69.50, and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, including www.ticketmaster.com.

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Kelly Osbourne went from “Ozzy’s Kid” to TV star and now to pop sensation in the course of about one year.

Her debut album “Shut Up” released late last year on Sony followed the surprising success of her single, a punky cover of Madonna “Papa Don’t Preach.”

Kelly’s first solo tour hits Detroit’s St. Andrew’s Hall on Friday, March 21.

Tickets are $12.

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Tim McGraw will be in concert at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday, March 22, in support of his new album “Tim McGraw & the Dancehall Doctors.”

Mr. Faith Hill first hit big with 1994’s “Not a Moment Too Soon,” which contained the controversial hit “Indian Outlaw,” and since released the hit records “Everywhere” in 1997, “Place in the Sun” in 1999 and “Set This Circus Down” in 2001.

Tickets range from $39.50 to $65.

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Def Leppard, an 1980s rock mainstay, comes back to town, bringing the tour for its new album “X” to The Palace of Auburn Hills on March 27.

“X” is a further effort to push the band’s sound into the 21st century, with the first single “Now” leading the charge. The group gave us such arena rock gems as “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Photograph,” and “Let’s Get Rocked,” and the classic album “Hysteria” is a must-have from the decade.

Tickets range from $37.50 to $47.50.

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Fresh off a successful run as the opening act for Oasis’ North American Tour last year, The Soundtrack of Our Lives brings a headlining tour to the Magic Stick in Detroit on March 31.

The Swedish quintet’s new album “Behind the Music” is a nice blend of European pop influences with raw, vintage American rock and roll at its core.

Tickets are $15.

Nick Brandon can be reached by e-mail at SureAsEggs@aol.com.

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