Acclaimed singer-songwriter Cliff Eberhardt opens the Rose Garden’s 36th season on Saturday, September 21, at 7:30 p.m.
“Cliff is a songwriter, storyteller, and guitarist who has a poet’s heart and a gravelly voice that just draws you in,” said Stephen Ide, artistic director of the Rose Garden Coffeehouse. “We’re thrilled to have him back to open the season.”
Close on the heels of recent performances on the “On A Winter’s Night” tour, Eberhardt is working on a new collection, “Found Objects,” an album of covers featuring arrangements of the songs of Leon Russell, Tom Waits, Cole Porter and more.
Eberhardt knew from a young age that his destiny was in music. Growing up in Pennsylvania, he was surrounded by a family that cherished music, with his father introducing him to the guitar. His early exposure to legendary artists like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Bruce Springsteen at the Main Point folk club shaped his musical journey.
By 15, Cliff and his brother Geoff were touring as an acoustic duo, and by 21, Cliff had moved to Illinois, where he honed his craft in a vibrant music scene. His journey took him to New York in 1978, where he immersed himself in the city’s rich musical landscape, performing at iconic venues, collaborating with artists like John Gorka, Suzanne Vega and others, singing advertising jingles, and even working as a taxi driver to help make ends meet.
His career took off with his debut album, “The Long Road” in 1990, which featured a duet with Richie Havens. Over the years, he has released several albums and his songwriting prowess has earned him a place among the most respected songwriters in the folk scene, with his songs covered by artists like Richie Havens and Shawn Colvin.
Cliff also has made significant contributions to theater, composing and performing original songs for productions like Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” and “The Heal,” a modern re-telling of the Sophocles play, “Philoctetes.”
Cliff’s latest album, “Knew Things,” reached #4 on the Folk Alliance International’s Folk Radio Chart.
The Rose Garden shows will be start at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7. For tickets and more information: https://bit.ly/rg24cliff
