Legendary Motown Star; Bluesician “For Our Times,” Head Concert Lineup

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Smokey Robinson, Keb' Mo' Among Those To Play At The Morton Arboretum

LISLE, IL (June 30, 2009) - Legendary Motown superstar Smokey Robinson, who rocketed to stardom with The Miracles, scoring hits such as "Tears of a Clown;" and acclaimed bluesician Keb' Mo', headline the July twilight performances in The Morton Arboretum's 2009 Summer Concert Series, "In Tune With Trees".

The concert series supports the Arboretum's mission of encouraging everyone to plant and protect trees for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. The concert lawn sits amid the majestic trees and landscapes of The Morton Arboretum.

Robinson, who performs on July 25, recorded 37 Top-40 hits between 1960 and 1987. His smash tunes include "Ooh Baby, Baby," "The Tracks of My Tears," "You've Really Got a Hold On Me," and "I Second That Emotion."

His newest album, "Time Flies When You're Having Fun," is due for release on August 25 on Robso Records, featuring the first single, "Don't Know Why."

Robinson's "velvety high tenor" can evoke joy or sadness with words that mingle "sincerity and eloquence, often describing love with unique metaphors," according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted Robinson in 1987. Famed singer/songwriter Bob Dylan once called Robinson "America's greatest living poet."

Robinson continues to garner accolades. He is scheduled to receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior National Alpha Award of Honor, from the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in New Orleans on July 16; and ASCAP, the performing rights society, honored the singer with the Rhythm and Soul Heritage Award on June 26, Robinson's spokesman revealed.

Grammy Award-winning Keb' Mo' with special guest, the subdudes, takes the stage on July 24. Keb' Mo' is "a blues artist whose witty tunes will take some of those blues away," according to National Public Radio. Keb' Mo' has released six critically acclaimed albums, won eight W.C. Handy Awards, and embraces multiple genres, including pop, rock, folk, and jazz.

You might call Keb' Mo' a bluescian for our times. In his most recent album, Suitcase, Keb' Mo' was hailed for "contemporary commentaries on the struggles, travails, and blind faith in personal redemption that accompanies people as they slog their way daily ever deeper into the 21st century," according to a reviewer on Billboard magazine's website.

The Keb' Mo' style owes much to contemporary music's singer-songwriter movement, encompassing his longtime friends and collaborators Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne, as to the spirit of blues godfather Robert Johnson that dwells in his work-using the power of song to convey human experience and emotional weight.

Among his high profile TV credits, Keb' Mo' has been heard on the shows Touched By An Angel, Brothers and Sisters, and Boston Legal; along with providing theme music for the Martha Stewart Living show. Keb' Mo' was also the featured performer, composer, or provided the soundtrack in nine live theater shows or films.

SCHEDULE - TICKET PRICES - ORDERING INFORMATION
Friday, July 24, 7 p.m.: Keb' Mo' with special guest, the subdudes. Tickets: $45 in advance; $47 Day-of. Discounts available for Arboretum members

Saturday, July 25, 7 p.m.: Smokey Robinson. Tickets: $50 in advance; $52 Day-of. Discounts available for Arboretum members

OTHERS IN CONCERT AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM IN 2009

Sunday, July 26, 4 p.m.: Ralph's World. Tickets: $16 individual tickets in advance; $18 Day-of. Also available: $54 for Family Four-Pack of tickets (advance orders only). Discounts available for Arboretum members

Friday, August 21, 7 p.m.: Plain White T's and Lovehammers. Tickets: $28 in advance; $30 Day-of. Discounts for Arboretum members.

Saturday, August 22, 7 p.m.: Shawn Colvin and Nanci Griffith. Tickets: $45 in advance; $47 Day-of. Discounts available for Arboretum members

Sunday, August 23, 3 p.m.: Disney's High School Musical: Summer Celebration! Tickets: $25 individual tickets in advance; $27 Day-of. Also available: $90 for Family Four-Pack (advance orders only). Discounts available for Arboretum members

Tickets are on sale via www.mortonarb.org, 630-725-2066, and in person at the Arboretum Visitor Center. A $5 processing fee applies to phone and online orders.

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges concert series Contributing Sponsor Harris Bank; and Bonterra Vineyards, Featured Wine Sponsor of the Arboretum. Official Hotel Sponsor is Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, and In-Kind Sponsor is Waste Management.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.

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