Casey Abrams — the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist whose jazzy vocals and deft handling of the bass guitar led him to a top 10 finish on season 10 of “American Idol” — will perform live in May at the Lee College Performing Arts Center (PAC).
The Casey Abrams concert is set for 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9, in the PAC main performance hall. Tickets for the show are $20-30 and available for purchase online at www.lee.edu/pac/, or by calling the Box Office at 281.425.6255.
A natural-born musician and creative spirit, the 24-year-old Abrams is an Austin native whose childhood home resonated with the music of the 1950s and 1960s. At just 10 years old he moved to Palm Springs, Calif., to attend the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy, where his father continues to teach. By sixth grade, Abrams had begun playing the electric bass guitar and later developed mastery of the guitar, upright bass, cello and drums. He credits his time at Idyllwild — and the mentorship of jazz and upright bass instructor Marshall Hawkins, who played with legends like Miles Davis and Roberta Flack — with helping shape his sound and development as an artist.
Abrams returned to Austin to audition for “American Idol,” earning a coveted golden ticket and ultimately finishing as the sixth-place contestant overall. Shortly after his “Idol” run, he signed with Concord Records and began working on his self-titled debut album in London with famed producer Martin Terefe, known for collaborations with artists like Jason Mraz, Mary J. Blige and Cat Stevens. Abrams sang, co-wrote and played the bass, acoustic guitar, drums, Wurlitzer and even recorder on the album — highlighting his depth as a musician and soulful, agile vocals.