College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities

Postmodern Jukebox jazzes up the Brooks Center

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Casey Abrams won the hearts of the nation in the 10th season of “American Idol.”

Casey Abrams and Postmodern Jukebox open the 18-19 Brooks Center Season on Thursday, September 6.

Since 2014, the dynamic bass-playing singer has spent considerable time as a front man for the retro-band Postmodern Jukebox.

On Thursday, Sept. 6, Abrams and Postmodern Jukebox will shake the rafters in the season-opening concert of the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University.

Scott Bradlee, creator of Postmodern Jukebox, has described the band as “pop music in a time machine.”

Postmodern Jukebox takes contemporary hits – pop, rock and R&B – and repackages them in styles ranging from swing to doo-wop, ragtime and Motown.

Started by Bradlee in 2009, Postmodern Jukebox has gone on to amass more than 950 million YouTube views while topping iTunes and Billboard charts.

At Clemson, Postmodern Jukebox will spotlight 11 performers: five vocalists, five instrumentalists, and a tap dancer.

Clemson is the first stop in a tour, “Back in Black & White,” that eventually carries the band to Disney World’s Epcot Center for three shows.

Clemson University Newsstand caught up with the personable Abrams by phone while he was visiting his family’s home in Prescott, Arizona.

Newsstand: How do you describe Postmodern Jukebox’s style?

Casey Abrams: We make Top 10 hits into jazzy, vintage doo-wop-shoo-bop music. It’s like Nat King Cole or Louis Armstrong journeyed into the future and made today’s pop songs all their own. (Laughs) I never expressed it that way, but that’s pretty good.

Newsstand: Can you give us an idea of some of the artists the band might be covering?

Abrams: I think Sam Smith might make an appearance and maybe Meghan Trainor, too, and Haddaway.

Newsstand: People say spontaneity is an important part of your show.

Abrams: Everything you hear is going to be played that moment. I might count if off faster one night and slower another. I might go into the crowd and get the band to play a little longer. We decide that day what we’re going to play.

Newsstand: What’s it going to be like at the concert Thursday night?

Abrams: It’s going to be wild. We break the fourth wall. We love to interact with the audience. (Laughs) Enter at your own risk. (Laughs)

For tickets to Thursday’s concert ($40 adults/$20 students), call 864-656-7787 or visit the website at www.clemson.edu/brooks.

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