Bonoff, Taylor to play at Landmark May 6

Grace McQuade

Landmark on Main will host Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor in a twin bill at the Jeanne Rimsky Theater on Saturday, May 6.

Born and raised in Southern California, Bonoff was a songwriter by the age of 15.

In the 1960s, she became friends with other musicians who were creating their own unique sound.

In talking about lining up a slot at the legendary Troubadour’s Monday night “hoot,” a proving ground for many now-famous artists, she says, “It was an amazing time. Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Elton John were around the Troubadour in those days.”

It was during this time that Bonoff connected with Linda Ronstadt, who recorded three Bonoff songs on her 1976 album — and three more on her 1990 album.

Bonoff’s performing career took off soon after.

Throughout the years, she has continued to do what she does best.

She has toured with Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, J.D. Souther and others, building up a passionate audience, resulting in sold-out houses everywhere.

People magazine ranked her “All My Life” as one of the top five most popular wedding songs.

Often after her concerts, Bonoff talks with fans and signs CDs and well-worn LP covers that people bring to her shows.

Bonoff’s legacy as a writer and perseverance as a performer are spoken best in a Billboard Magazine review of her “All My Life” recording.

“Long before Alanis and Jewel, there was a breed of singer/songwriters whose earthly anthems of soul-searching, heartache and joy touched souls in a way few can muster today.”

Livingston Taylor picked up his first guitar at the age of 13, beginning a 40-year career that has encompassed performance, songwriting and teaching.

He is the fourth child in a musical family, who released his first record at the age of 18, and has continued to create well crafted, introspective, and original songs that have earned him listeners worldwide.

From top-40 hits, such as “I Will Be in Love with You” and “I’ll Come Running,” to “I Can Dream of You” and “Boatman,” both recorded by his brother James, Livingston’s creative output has continued unabated.

His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres — folk, pop, gospel, jazz — and from upbeat storytelling to touching ballads.

Livingston has been performing ever since his early coffeehouse days, touring with major artists, including Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett and Jethro Tull.

His shows are peppered with personal stories, anecdotes and ineffable warmth that connect him to his fans.

His relaxed on-stage presence belies the depth of his musical knowledge, and fans might just as often be treated to a classic Gershwin or something from the best of Broadway.

Livingston is a full professor at Berklee College of Music, where he has taught a stage performance course since 1989.

He teaches young artists invaluable lessons learned over the course of an extensive career on the road; the course is consistently voted the most popular at the college.

His book, “Stage Performance,” released in 2011, offers those lessons to anyone who is interested in elevating their presentation standards to professional standards.

Tickets for Karla Bonoff & Livingston Taylor are available through Landmark’s Box Office, 516-767-6444, and online at www.landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Premium $50 (Friends $45), Select $45 (Friends $40), Standard $38 (Friends $33).

All ticket prices include a $2 facilities fee for capital improvements.

Landmark on Main Street’s Roots Rock series is sponsored by Hicks Nurseries and WFUV Public Radio.

Their 2016-17 season is made possible through their Partners in Performing Arts: Harding Real Estate, Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation, Peter A. Forman Charitable Foundation, Town of North Hempstead and Winthrop University Hospital.

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