Musician Ben Sollee will thrill audiences with his unique cello stylings and smooth-smoky vocals.: kdhx.org photo

Mercyhurst University will be welcoming guest artist Ben Sollee to the stage as he gives an up-close and personal performance for an on-stage audience.

Recently seen at Carnegie Hall paying tribute to one of his main influences, Paul Simon, Ben Sollee shares himself completely with his audience members.

Sollee is known for his thrilling cello-playing that incorporates new techniques to create a unique mix of folk, calypso, bluegrass, jazz and R&B.

Sollee possesses rough-smooth-smoky vocal stylings and a knack for intricate arrangements that have brought about comparisons to artist Sufjan Stevens.

He first gained notice with his debut, “Learning to Bend,” which led NPR to call him one of the “Top Ten Great Unknown Artists” of the year.

Sollee has been touring with multi-Grammy winner Bela Fleck and has collaborated with “My Morning Jacket,” Abigail Washburn and Jordon Ellis.

The Heliotropes will be performing before the show to set the tone of the evening.

Lavery Brewing Company will be in the lobby serving complimentary beer tastings.

The event will be held in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

This showing features special on-stage seating, helping the audience to become a part of the music they hear.