Tip-off
Chart-topping Alicia Keys set for midnight show here

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer

Alicia Keys, a critically praised 20-year-old pianist, vocalist and composer whose multi-platinum debut CD "Songs In A Minor" bowed at the top of the Billboard Album Chart in July, will perform a midnight concert at the World Cafe. Doors open at 10 p.m. Dec. 21.

Best known for her multi-format radio smash "Fallin,' " which spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year, the Manhattan-based Keys blasted her way onto 2001's music scene with her own blend of jazz, blues and hip-hop-infused R&B mixed with classically-trained piano brio. Hailed by Rolling Stone magazine in a November cover story as "the new queen of soul," Keys contributed a rendition of Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free" to September's "America: A Tribute To Heroes" telethon.

Keys led the nominations list for this week's Billboard Music Awards with eight nods, and also heads the nominee field of February's American Music Awards with five nominations.

The World Cafe concert comes during a brief Hawai'i vacation for Keys following a full December schedule of touring and performances at the Billboard Awards, an Elton John AIDS benefit and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." Her late-night show follows a previously scheduled concert by Honolulu-born folk musician/filmmaker Jack Johnson.

Tickets are on sale now for $15 at the World Cafe, Tower Records locations, Cheapo Music locations, Hungry Ear Kailua, and all military bases. Children under 18 will be required to attend with a parent or guardian. Information or charge by phone at 585-2877.