The current album of this 34-year-old romantic piano sensation, "By Heart," continues to climb the charts and he was recently chosen by Billboard as one of the magazine's "Popular Uprising" picks. His two singles, "Angel Eyes" and "If You Believe" have made their way into the top 10 of adult contemporary charts.

Brickman learned the piano at age 4 and never lost interest. He began writing jingles in his college dorm room and by age 19 was composing songs for Jim Henson's Muppets. He went on to form his own company, writing and recording songs, jingles, and special compositions for AT&T, 7-Up, Sony, Pontiac, The Gap, Sprint, The Walt Disney Company and others. Jingles you might recognize: "GE-we bring good things to life;" Just for the taste of it-Diet Coke;" Flintstone's Kids-10 million strong and growing."

But even as the most successful jingle writer in town, Brickman began to feel creatively limited. "I really wanted to make music that was more personal," he said. He had a good sense of what adult contemporary listeners wanted to hear and his musical instincts proved correct. "If you hear a solo piano on pop radio it's going to be Jim Brickman," he told the Kansas City Star. "At least for right now...I'm the piano guy."

Brickman's audience appeal comes from his emotional approach to music as well as the intimate rapport he establishes during concerts. Often sharing the stories behind his songs, he describes them as being "catchy melodies that sound like pop songs without words." Tickets for the performance at $22.50 and $18.50 are available from the Center Box Office (645-ARTS) and all Ticketmaster locations.