World News

Paul Simon will kick off the first leg of his 2006 U.S. tour in support of his new Warner Bros. CD 'Surprise' with a series of dates, which commence in Columbus, OH, on June 28. Simon recently debuted his new band as well as songs from his brilliant new album during a set at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which earned cover story kudos in USA Today and inspired the New Orleans Times-Picayune to write, "Almost everything seemed perfect Sunday afternoon when Paul Simon walked out... Simon's set at the Acura Stage was a final healing balm for a population desperately in need of it."

Paul Simon's touring band is: Steve Gadd (drums), Mark Stewart (keyboards, woodwinds, guitar), Andy Snitzer (keyboards, woodwinds), Tony Cedras (keyboards, trumpet), Bakithi Kumalo (bass), and Vincent Nguini (guitar).

'Surprise' was produced by Paul Simon and features some of Simon's best songwriting and performances since the 'Graceland' album. The New York Daily News said Simon has "forged something focused and strong," and the Washington Post proclaimed that 'Surprise' "may be his best yet." Meanwhile, Simon was recently named as one of the "100 people who shape our world" by Time Magazine, joining Al Gore, Elie Wiesel and others in the Heroes and Pioneers category.

Paul Simon - First Leg Of 2006 Tour Dates

June 28       Columbus, OH            OSU Jerome Schottenstein Center
June 29       Cleveland, OH           Plain Dealer Pavilion
July 1        Milwaukee, WI           Summerfest
July 2        Toledo, OH              Zoo Amphitheater
July 4        Cooperstown, NY         Doubleday Field
July 5        Montreal QU             Place Des Arts Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
July 7        Essex Junction, VT      Champlain Valley Fairgrounds
July 8        Manchester, NH          Verizon Wireless Arena
July 9        Uncasville, CT          Mohegan Sun Arena
July 12       Columbia, MD            Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 14       Atlantic City, NJ       Borgata Event Center
July 15       Atlantic City, NJ       Borgata Event Center
July 16       Holmdel, NJ             PNC Bank Arts Center
July 19       Atlanta, GA             Chastain Park Amphitheatre
July 21       Grand Prairie, TX       Nokia Live
July 22       Houston, TX             Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
July 24       San Antonio, TX         Municipal Auditorium
July 26       Phoenix, AZ             Maricopa Events Center
July 28       Costa Mesa, CA          Orange County Fair
July 29       Paso Robles, CA         California Mid State Fair
July 30       Lake Tahoe, NV          Harvey's Outdoor Arena