International star will perform June 24 as part of zoo's summer concert series
Jimmy Cliff, widely regarded as the world's greatest living reggae artist, is returning to the Oregon Zoo this month. One of only two reggae musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the other was Bob Marley), Cliff will be performing June 24 as part of the zoo's summer concert series presented by by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon with support from U.S. Bank.
Known as the "shepherd of reggae music," Cliff has charted the course of Jamaican music for 50 years and sold more than 20 million records. He began recording as a 14-year-old in 1962 in Kingston, Jamaica, and two years later was selected as one of his country's representatives at the New York World's Fair.
Cliff became an international sensation after starring in the 1972 film "The Harder They Come" and singing most of the songs on its landmark soundtrack – including the title track, "Many Rivers to Cross" and "You Can Get It if You Really Want."
Cliff has arguably done more to popularize reggae than anyone besides Bob Marley, and he continues to be a great musical ambassador. His recent collaboration with Rancid's Tim Armstrong, "Sacred Fire," sees Cliff returning to his reggae roots while covering songs by the Clash, Rancid and Bob Dylan.
Tickets to see Jimmy Cliff are $28 and can be purchased at the zoo during normal operating hours. Tickets can also be purchased (with service charge) at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, online at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000. Purchase of a concert ticket allows entry into the zoo after 4 p.m; the concert begins at 7 p.m.
Along with Jimmy Cliff, the zoo concert series will be showcasing a variety of world-renowned artists – from blues legend Buddy Guy to hometown heroes Pink Martini – before finishing in mid-September with a performance by classic-rock favorites Chicago. Other notables this year include Ziggy Marley, Melissa Etheridge, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, k.d. lang and Rosanne Cash.
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first in America to host a summer concert series. Now, the series is one of the top outdoor events in the Northwest, and is the region's longest continuously running outdoor series.
Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts is presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon with support from U.S. Bank and media support from The Oregonian.
The Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission of inspiring the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, Western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo relies in part on community support through donations to the Oregon Zoo Foundation to undertake these and many other animal welfare, education and sustainability programs. The zoo is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26 at exit 72. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Visitors who travel to the zoo via MAX receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Find fare and route information online or by calling TriMet Customer Service at 503-238-RIDE (7433).
General zoo admission is $10.50 (ages 12-64), $9 for seniors (65 and up), $7.50 for children (ages 3-11) and free for those 2 and younger; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo’s Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $4 per car is also required. Additional information is available by calling 503-226-1561.
Hova Najarian at 503-220-5714 or hova.najarian@oregonzoo.org
Chelsea Mitchell at 503-220-5716 or chelsea.mitchell@oregonzoo.org