Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane bringing new music to Sebastopol

Singer, songwriter and pianist Gabriel Kahane, who spent his teenage years in Santa Rosa and has gone on to gain national attention, will perform March 29 in Sebastopol.

He’ll perform his own material from his latest album, “The Ambassador,” released last year. The album was named “one of the year’s very best” by Rolling Stone and described as “remarkable” by the New York Times.

The show, a benefit for the Main Stage West theater company in Sebastopol, starts at 5 p.m. at the French Garden Restaurant, 8050 Bodega Ave. The event includes Kahane’s concert, dinner and silent and live auctions.

Kahane, the son of Jeffery Kahane, pianist and former conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony, has a longstanding connection with the leaders of the Sebastopol theater.

He attended Santa Rosa High School and participated in its ArtQuest program. Elizabeth Craven, a former ArtQuest teacher, is now artistic director of Main Stage West. Her husband John Craven succeeded her at ArtQuest.

“John and I heard Gabriel perform in last Seattle, and were simply blown away,” Elizabeth Craven said. “There’s a good reason why Gabriel Kahane’s star is rising as a major force in music and theater. I felt then, and feel now, that I am in the presence of genius when he plays. This may the last time anyone sees him perform in a room this intimate.”

Tickets for the Sebastopol dinner and concert cost $175 each. For tickets and information, phone 707-823-0177 or visit mainstagewest.com.

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. Read his Arts blog at arts.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.