Michael Leviton & the New Jerk Times

New York-based Michael Leviton is somewhat of an artistic renaissance man. As a musician, he sings, plays ukulele, piano and guitar. He is also a writer, composing songs, essays, mysteries, screenplays and illustrated horror stories for children. On January 22, 2011, Leviton will bring his band, The New Jerk Times, to Kirkland Performance Center for a debut West Coast appearance.

Michael first stepped into the music scene when he befriended and began to play with Regina Spektor and Nellie McKay. Eventually, was selected by John Linnell and John Flansburg of They Might Be Giants to be their opening act. Though he is most certainly his own unique brand of musicianship, Leviton has been compared to Chet Baker, for his similarly warm vocals, tender tunes and idiosyncratic charisma. 

The band’s latest track, “You’re Somebody Even If Nobody Loves You,” will remind you of a polished (if jaded) song by a Catskills-style crooner. Leviton’s lyrics, cleverly laced with both a sense of innocence and sarcasm, blend seamlessly with his skills as a musician. Backed by strings and piano, Leviton is able to put on a show that will simultaneously stir up a sense of old-fashioned nostalgia and quirky modernism.

Currently, Michael lives in New York, where he teaches guitar and ukulele in addition to his touring schedule.

Get tickets online: www.kpcenter.org or call the KPC Box Office at 425-893-9900.  For more information, visit www.kpcenter.org 

Artist Sponsors: Boeing, Northwest Aerials School of Gymnastics & Dance, Stephen Gomes, Bill Schultheis & Dana Zhang, Café Veloce