Singer/songwriter Jim Page is a Northwest treasure who has been gratifying socially conscious audiences for more than 35 years and has been praised by many critics and contemporaries as being prophetic, compelling and compassionate.  Whether playing solo acoustic or in an ensemble, Page’s music speaks to the common man living in these desperate and uncertain times.

He will perform a rare Tacoma concert tonight at A Rhapsody in Bloom Florist & Café.

Page was born amongst the palm trees of Palo Alto, Calif., and at age 15 he began playing guitar.  With Dylan and Guthrie serving as inspiration, he began writing politically charged anthems about the social issues of the day.  In 1970 Page made an East Coast trek to New York before packing his guitar and heading for the friendlier city of Seattle.  He sang his songs on the streets of the Emerald City for spare change but was constantly harassed by the authorities.  So began his first political mission: to change the laws for street singers in Seattle. He won. 

Page has released 17 albums since 1976. Each disc takes the listener on a journey, sometimes satirical, sometimes serious but always thought provoking.  One of Page’s most celebrated recordings came post 9/11 with 2002’s Collateral Damage, on which he performed alone, trying desperately to make sense of that tragic day. â€" Tony Engelhart

[A Rhapsody In Bloom Florist & Cafe' Latte, 7 p.m., 3709 Sixth Ave., Tacoma 253.761.7673]