Recording artist/composer Gary Stroutsos has received international acclaim for his numerous CDs of original contemporary flute music. He has also performed at the White House and played on the soundtrack of Ken Burns' PBS documentary on legendary explorers Lewis and Clark.

On Friday, March 24, Stroutsos will perform in his own neighborhood, when he gives a concert of contemporary flute music from around the world at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave. NE, beginning at 7:15 p.m. Admission is $2 per person.

Stroutsos, who lives in the Ravenna community, is described in his press materials as a "self-taught music ethnologist, American Indian flute music historian and longtime traditional jazz flutist" who is "strongly respectful of ethnic cultures and traditions."

He uses many different flutes during his performances, including Alto flute, cedar, rivercane American Indian flutes, bamboo flutes, ocarinas, and bird calls from around the world.

Stroutsos has studied with influential jazz flutist/composer James Newton, Cuban music historian/flutist Dr. Danilo Lozano, and Navajo flutemaker Paul Thompson.

In 1997, Stroutsos recorded an album titled "The Native Heart," with Brazilian pianist Jovina Santos Neto and Greek percussionist Epaminondas Trimis, that blends world jazz with American Indian influences. He continues to perform several compositions from that album in his concerts.

For more information about his upcoming concert at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, call 684-7534.