Ari Hest with special guest Julian Velard and with Marianne Keith October 29, 2008

A prolific songwriter and captivating live performer, Ari Hest is writing and recording new songs weekly and touring consistently in 2008. Having recently parted ways with Columbia Records, Ari launched an ambitious independent project in January of this year called "52", in which he is releasing 52 new, original songs in 52 weeks in a DIY subscription model that is the first of its kind, culminating in Ari's next studio album, due out in early 2009.

Julian is that rarest of artists, a pop songwriter and a storyteller. Think Elton John, Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello combined with Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and Steven Spielberg. He writes catchy tunes while creating indelible characters that encompass the pain, humor and joy of life. And you can sing along as well. No mean feat.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of worldcafelive2.