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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jason Mraz brings act to Lilac Bowl tonight

Isamu Jordan I Correspondent

What do you do when you’ve got the fifth biggest-selling digital single of all time and a certified quadruple platinum smash on your hands?

If you’re Jason Mraz, you follow up with a digital remix EP and tour like there’s no tomorrow.

Mraz is doing just that as he comes to Riverfront Park’s Lilac Bowl tonight as a part of his Gratitude Cafe Tour with G. Love & Special Sauce and Bushwalla.

The tour follows the release of his new digital EP, “Yours Truly: The I’m Yours Collection,” which features various incarnations of his megahit single, “I’m Yours.”

There are four versions of the song: the original demo version, the album version, a live version recorded in Tokyo featuring Japanese band Kimaguren, and a reggae remix.

Topping charts in four separate radio formats, “I’m Yours” is the flagship single from Mraz’s 2008 album, “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.” It set a record last month by staying on the Billboard singles chart for 70 straight weeks.

The album debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 200, his highest chart position yet.

It was nominated for a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, while the single was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Male Pop vocals.

Mraz, 32, also got an engineering Grammy nod for his 2005 album, “Mr. A-Z.” The San Diego-based pop star received the Songwriter Hall of Fame’s Hal David Starlight Award in June.

Mraz followed “I’m Yours” with another platinum hit, “Lucky” a duet with Colbie Caillat, who played a sold-out show earlier this week at The Knitting Factory.

Riding the momentum of his success in as many ways as he can, Mraz recently released a digital Spanish-language remix of “Lucky,” titled “Suerte,” featuring Ximena Sariana.

The original version of “Lucky” peaked at 48 on the Hot 100.

Tonight’s show is one of the last dates on Mraz’s extensive coast-to-coast summer tour. The promoter wanted an outdoor venue, despite the lateness of the season, said Craig Butz, Spokane Parks’ recreation and entertainment manager.

“I was a little concerned, but it looks like it’s going to be ideal (weather),” he said.

A portion of ticket sales from the tour benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, which is dedicated to the restoration of instrumental music programs and raising awareness about the importance of music in a child’s education.