Orcas audiences will have the rare opportunity to see singer and guitarist Leon Redbone in an intimate concert setting at Orcas Center, on Sunday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Having managed to escape any label or pigeonhole during his decades-long career, Redbone is an original. An accomplished guitarist with a distinctive deep voice, he is best known for unique interpretations of songs of the early and mid-20th century. His repertoire includes ragtime, jazz, blues, children’s songs, and Christmas music. He has written and performed theme songs for television shows and commercials and made appearances or provided the voice for television and films.

Redbone’s performances are an entertaining blend of comedy, vaudeville and music that are enjoyed by audiences spanning the generations. A prolific recording artist and performer, Redbone has an international following. He was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and performed several times on Saturday Night Live.

“For 30 years off and on, I’ve been going to Leon Redbone performances, and they’re always unique,” said Orcas resident Mike Stolmeier. “He has his own genre. For a guy like me, he’s good, and my kids like him.”

Little is known about Redbone beyond his music and public persona. Private and elusive, he is somewhat of a mystery. He has claimed that his father was the Italian violinist/composer Paganini, who died in 1840, and his mother was Swedish soprano Jenny Lind, who died in 1887.

Redbone will perform on Sunday, May 2 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25, $17 for Orcas Center members and $11 for students. Tickets may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or in person or over the phone during regular box office hours: Thursday-Saturday, noon-4 pm., 376-2281 ext. 1.