Art Garfunkel tour announces North American dates for 2009

Best known as one half of the iconic Simon & Garfunkel partnership, singer-songwriter Art Garfunkel has already become a memorable part of the music industry’s landscape. However, in the more than 30 years since the duo’s dissolution, Garfunkel has continued his musical endeavors with solo recordings and regular touring.

The artist will kick off the New Year with a coast-to-coast tour, which begins on January 9 at the James Armstrong Theater in Torrance, CA, and wraps April 19 at Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis, IN. Highlights for the 20-date jaunt include a January 17 concert at the Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI, a February 10-11 run at Youkey Theater in Lakeland, FL, and a March 14 gig at Massey Hall in Toronto, ON.

Garfunkel kicked off 2008 in a similar manner, touring from early January through mid-April. The performer also recently wrapped a 12-performance tour of mainland Europe and the UK this October, beginning the run with October 3-4 sets at Vicar Street in Dublin, IRE, and wrapping October 19 at Concert House in Odense, DEN. No more performances have been announced for 2008.

The singer-songwriter’s most recent release is 2007’s “Some Enchanted Evening,” which features Garfunkel’s take on tunes by songwriting masters Rodgers & Hammerstein, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin, among others.

“In this nervous world I want to soothe,” the soft-voiced crooner explained in a statement on his official Web site. “It’s a great time for moderation, for thoughtfulness, for dialogue, for the great Exhale, for humor. A great time for a sweet sound, a visceral, charming, prayerful sound.”

Garfunkel began his solo career with 1973’s “Angel Clare,” an album that peaked at No. 5 on the U.S. charts and remains his highest charting solo endeavor. The singer has released more than 10 solo records in all, which included a handful of chart-placing singles. However, Garfunkel remains best known for Simon & Garfunkel career and solo performance of the hit “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Art Garfunkel itinerary:
(Dates subject to change.)